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[Anemia in the first year of life and its relation to breast-feeding]
S B de Souza1, S C Szarfarc, J M de Souza
1Departamento de Nutrição, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil. buonger@usp.br
Insights
This study found no direct link between breast-feeding duration and iron deficiency anemia in infants aged 0-12 months. Anemia prevalence was 14.5%, higher in infants over 180 days old.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
- Public Health
Context:
- Iron deficiency anemia is a significant concern in infants.
- Early weaning is often hypothesized as a cause of infant anemia.
- Understanding risk factors is crucial for prevention strategies.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in infants aged 0-12 months.
- To investigate the relationship between the duration of breast-feeding and anemia.
- To identify factors contributing to anemia in this age group.
Summary:
- A study of 317 infants in S. Paulo, Brazil, found an overall anemia prevalence of 14.5%, rising to 22.6% in infants older than 180 days.
- Anemia diagnosis was based on hemoglobin concentration using the cianometahemoglobin method.
- No statistically significant association was found between anemia and the duration of breast-feeding.
Impact:
- The findings suggest that factors beyond breast-feeding duration, possibly demographic characteristics, may influence anemia prevalence.
- This research does not diminish the established importance of exclusive breast-feeding for infant health and anemia prevention.
- Further research into diverse risk factors is warranted to inform public health interventions.
Introduction:
Many studies in this field justify the hypothesis that early weaning is one of the causes of anemia in the first year of life. This study seeks to discover the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and its relation to the duration of breast-feeding among infants aged 0-12 months.
Material And Method:
A sample of 317 infants of four school health centers in the city of S. Paulo (Brazil) was studied. The information about diet was obtained by interviewing the mothers. The presence of anemia was verified by hemoglobin concentration, using the cianometahemoglobin method, and the criteria recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) were utilized for the diagnosis. The duration of exclusive breast feeding was calculated by using the life table technique for censored data.
Results:
The prevalence of anemia was found to be 14.5% for the whole population and 22.6% for infants aged more than 180 days. No association was found between anemia and time of breast-feeding; the median time were the same for both groups, anemic and non-anemic.
Comments:
The results observed are more probably related to the demographic characteristics of the population studied and by no means lessen the importance of exclusive breast feeding in the prevention of anemia.