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Risk factors of infant anemia in the perinatal period
Michio Hirata1, Isao Kusakawa1, Sachiko Ohde2
1Department of Pediatrics, St Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Insights
Infant nutrition method significantly impacts anemia risk. Low umbilical cord hemoglobin also increases the likelihood of infant anemia, highlighting key factors for prevention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Neonatal Nutrition
- Public Health
Background:
- Infants face a high risk of iron-deficiency anemia.
- Understanding maternal-infant blood count relationships is crucial.
- Investigating infant nutrition's role in anemia development is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine maternal and infant blood count changes.
- To determine the relationship between maternal and infant blood counts.
- To identify infant nutrition methods as risk factors for infant anemia.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 3472 healthy neonates (August 2011-July 2014).
- Analysis of maternal blood samples (late pregnancy) and infant blood samples (birth, 3, 6, 9 months).
- Multivariate logistic regression to assess risk factors including nutrition, maternal anemia, and cord blood hemoglobin.
Main Results:
- Infant nutrition method was the most significant risk factor for anemia.
- Anemia risk decreased in the order: exclusive breastfeeding > partial breastfeeding > formula feeding.
- Low umbilical cord blood hemoglobin showed a tendency toward anemia in infants.
Conclusions:
- Infant nutrition method is the primary determinant of anemia in late infancy.
- Low umbilical cord blood hemoglobin is a predictor of infant anemia.
- Targeted interventions based on nutrition and cord blood status are recommended.
Background:
Infants are at particular risk of iron-deficiency anemia. We investigated changes in the blood count of the mother and infant as well as the relationship between them and the relationship between infant nutrition method and infant anemia.
Methods:
This retrospective cohort study included healthy neonates born between August 2011 and July 2014 at St Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. Data from maternal blood samples obtained during late pregnancy and those of infants obtained at birth and at the age of 3, 6, and 9 months were analyzed. Using multivariate logistic regression, we investigated nutrition methods, maternal anemia, and other clinically relevant parameters that were potential risk factors for infant anemia.
Results:
In total, data for 3472 infants and their mothers were analyzed. Nutrition method was the most significant risk factor for infant anemia, with risk of future anemia decreasing in the following order: exclusive breast-feeding, partial breast-feeding, and formula feeding. Furthermore, low umbilical cord blood hemoglobin led to a tendency toward anemia in the child.
Conclusion:
Infant nutrition method was the most significant factor related to anemia in late infancy. Infants with low umbilical cord blood hemoglobin are more likely to develop anemia in late infancy.
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