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Iron-deficiency anemia in infancy and mother-infant interaction during feeding

Rinat Armony-Sivan1, Melissa Kaplan-Estrin, Sandra W Jacobson

  • 1Department of Psychology, Ashkelon Academic College, Ashkelon, 78109, Israel. rinatsivan@gmail.com

Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics : JDBP
|May 1, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in infants is linked to poorer mother-infant interactions during feeding. Mothers of infants with IDA showed less responsive behaviors, impacting developmental outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is a prevalent nutritional deficiency in infants.
  • Maternal-infant interaction quality is crucial for infant development.
  • The impact of IDA on mother-infant feeding dynamics is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare mother-infant interaction quality during feeding in infants with and without iron-deficiency anemia (IDA).

Main Methods:

  • Seventy-seven 9- to 10-month-old infants and their mothers were assessed for iron status.
  • Sixty-eight dyads were videotaped during feeding interactions.
  • Mother-infant interaction quality was evaluated using the Nursing Child Assessment Feeding Scale.

Main Results:

  • Mothers of infants with IDA exhibited significantly less sensitive responses to infant cues and reduced cognitive/social-emotional fostering behaviors.
  • Maternal interaction differences were substantial (0.8-1.0 SD).
  • Infants with IDA showed lower clarity of cues and overall interaction quality (0.5 SD).

Conclusions:

  • Infancy iron-deficiency anemia is associated with suboptimal mother-infant interaction during feeding.
  • Interventions should consider targeting feeding interactions and the interplay between infant iron status, developmental outcomes, and feeding practices.
  • Further research can explore the bidirectional effects of IDA and feeding interactions on infant development.
Abstract

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