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Changes in haemoglobin levels in infants in Malawi: effect of low birth weight and fetal anaemia

le Cessie, S., Verhoeff, Francine H., Mengistie, G., Kazembe, P., Broadhead, R. and Brabin, Bernard (2002) 'Changes in haemoglobin levels in infants in Malawi: effect of low birth weight and fetal anaemia'. Archives of Disease in Childhood Fetal & Neonatal Edition, Vol 86, Issue 3, pp. 182-187.

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Abstract

Objectives: To examine the effect of low birth weight (LBW) and fetal anaemia (FA) on haemoglobin (Hb) patterns in infancy. To study the additional contribution of other risk factors known at birth. To examine the effect of iron supplementation during infancy on Hb levels. Methods: A stratified cohort of infants in Malawi (83 with LBW(<2500 g), 111 with FA (cord Hb <125 g/l), 31 with both LBW and FA, and 176 controls) was followed during infancy. Hb levels were measured at about 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months of age. Repeated measures models were used to describe the changes in Hb levels over time. Results: The mean Hb concentration in the control group was 95.5 gl (95% confidence interval (CI) 92.5 to 98.5) at 2 months, 86.9 g/l (95 o CI 84.4 to 89.4) at 9 months, and 898 g/l (95% CI 874 to 92.2) at 12 months. Differences between LBW infants and controls increased over time (difference at 12 months: 5.5 g/l (95% CI 1.3 to 9.7)). Infants with FA had borderline significantly lower Hb at 2 months (p=0.07), but at 6 months their levels were similar to those of controls. The LBW infants and those with FA had the lowest Hb levels (difference from controls at 12 months 7.9 g/l). Parity, placental and maternal malaria at delivery, and sex significantly affected Hb levels after adjustment for LBW and FA. After iron supplementation, Hb significantly increased. Conclusions: Antimalarial control and iron supplementation throughout pregnancy should be increased to reduce the incidence of infant anaemia and improve child development and survival.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 310 Maternal welfare
WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 395 Health in developing countries
WS Pediatrics > Child Care. Nutrition. Physical Examination > WS 115 Nutritional requirements. Nutrition disorders
WS Pediatrics > Diseases of Children and Adolescents > By System > WS 300 Hemic and lymphatic system
WS Pediatrics > By Age Groups > WS 420 Newborn infants. Neonatology
Faculty: Department: Groups (2002 - 2012) > Child & Reproductive Health Group
Digital Object Identifer (DOI): https://doi.org/10.1136/fn.86.3.F182
Depositing User: Lynn Roberts-Maloney
Date Deposited: 23 Aug 2013 10:05
Last Modified: 06 Feb 2018 13:05
URI: https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/2956

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