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Full breastfeeding duration and risk for iron deficiency in U.S. infants

Caroline J Chantry1, Cynthia R Howard, Peggy Auinger

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of California-Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California.

Breastfeeding Medicine : the Official Journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
|July 31, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Exclusive breastfeeding for six months may increase iron deficiency risk in U.S. infants. Healthcare providers should monitor iron status in exclusively breastfed infants and consider iron supplementation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Nutrition Science
  • Public Health

Background:

  • International guidelines recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life.
  • The impact of these recommendations on the iron status of U.S. children remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if exclusive breastfeeding for six months, compared to four months, increases the risk of iron deficiency in U.S. children.
  • To assess the relationship between breastfeeding duration and iron status indicators like anemia and low serum ferritin.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from 2268 children (6 to <24 months) in NHANES III (1988-1994) and 526 children (12 to <24 months) in NHANES (1999-2002).
  • Comparison of anemia and iron status across five feeding groups: formula-fed only, and exclusively breastfed for <1, 1-<4, 4-<6, and >=6 months.
  • Logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors, including birth weight and demographics.

Main Results:

  • In NHANES III, 10.0% of infants exclusively breastfed for >=6 months had a history of anemia versus 2.3% in the 4-<6 months group (p=0.007).
  • Adjusted analyses showed a lower risk of anemia history (NHANES III) and low serum ferritin (NHANES 1999-2002) in infants breastfed for 4-<6 months compared to >=6 months.
  • No significant differences in hemoglobin levels were observed at the time of the survey between these groups.

Conclusions:

  • Exclusive breastfeeding for six months may be associated with an increased risk of iron deficiency in U.S. young children.
  • Typical complementary infant foods may not provide adequate iron to meet the needs of exclusively breastfed infants.
  • Healthcare providers must remain vigilant in preventing iron deficiency among infants breastfed for extended durations.
Abstract

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