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A Point-of-Care Method with Integrated Decision Support Tool to Estimate Anemia at Population Level
Published on: January 19, 2024
Anemia in low-income exclusively breastfed infants
Marco Antonio A Torres1, Josefina A P Braga, José Augusto A C Taddei
1Universidade Federal de São Paulo-Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP-EPM), CEP 04040-032 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Insights
Anemia prevalence in exclusively breastfed infants aged 3-6 months ranges from 8.3% to 37.5%. Pediatricians should monitor hemoglobin levels in at-risk infants, especially those from low-income families.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for infant nutrition.
- Iron deficiency anemia is a significant global health concern in infants.
- Monitoring hemoglobin levels is crucial for early detection and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess hemoglobin levels and anemia prevalence in exclusively breastfed infants.
- To investigate the relationship between age and anemia in this population.
- To provide data for improved clinical guidelines and public health strategies.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 242 exclusively breastfed infants aged 3-6 months.
- Hemoglobin levels were measured via finger prick.
- Anemia was defined using established criteria (Saarinen, Brault-Dubuc, WHO).
Main Results:
- Mean hemoglobin levels showed slight variations across the 3-6 month period.
- Anemia prevalence varied significantly based on age and diagnostic criteria, ranging from 8.3% to 37.5%.
- Higher prevalence rates were observed at 6 months of age.
Conclusions:
- Anemia is prevalent in exclusively breastfed infants aged 3-6 months.
- Increased clinical attention is warranted for monitoring hemoglobin in this demographic.
- Risk factors such as low-income status and specific feeding practices necessitate careful evaluation.
Objective:
To verify the behavior of hemoglobin levels and anemia prevalence in full term infants, aged 3 to 6 months and on exclusive breastfeeding.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study of 242 infants aged 3 to 6 months with birth weights of more than 2,500 g, on exclusive breastfeeding and monitored by the Program for the Promotion of Infant Growth and Development, part of the Paraisópolis Einstein Community Program. Hemoglobin was assayed by finger prick between the third and sixth months of life. Anemia was defined as Hb < 10.3 g/dL (Saarinen) or Hb < 10 g/dL (Brault-Dubuc) for infants aged 3 to 5 months and as Hb < 11.0 g/dL (WHO) for infants aged 6 months.
Results:
Mean hemoglobin concentration was 11.3 and 11.4 g/dL at 3 and 4 months and 11.2 and 11.1 g/dL at 5 and 6 months, respectively. The percentage of anemic infants varied depending on age and the cutoff adopted, being 11.8, 10.2 and 8.3% at 3, 4 and 5 months, respectively, according to the Brault-Dubuc criteria, and 20.6, 14.8 and 10.4% by the Saarinen criteria. Anemia prevalence at 6 months was 37.5%.
Conclusions:
Anemia prevalence rates observed among infants aged between 3 and 6 months varied from 8.3 to 37.5%, justifying increased attention on the part of pediatricians to the hemoglobin levels of infants who are on exclusive breastfeeding, come from low-income families and present risk factors for iron deficiency.
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