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A cohort study of haemoglobin and zinc protoporphyrin levels in term Zambian infants: effects of iron stores at birth, complementary food and placental malaria

Van Rheenen, P. F., de Moor, L. T. T., Eschbach, S. and Brabin, Bernard (2008) 'A cohort study of haemoglobin and zinc protoporphyrin levels in term Zambian infants: effects of iron stores at birth, complementary food and placental malaria'. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 62, Issue 12, pp. 1379-1387.

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Abstract

Objective: To examine zinc-protoporphyrin (ZPP) and haemoglobin levels, and to determine predictors of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in Zambian infants.
Subjects and methods: Ninety-one women and their normal birth weight (NBW) infants were followed bi-monthly during the first 6 months of life, and iron status, food intake, malaria parasitaemia and growth were monitored. At 4 months, the infants were divided into two groups, and the data were analysed according to whether or not they were exclusively breastfed.
Results: Almost two-third of infants were born with low iron stores as defined by ZPP levels, and this proportion increased with age. Over 50% had developed IDA by 6 months. Exclusive breastfeeding at 4 months could be a protective factor for IDA (odds ratio (OR): 0.2; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.0-1.1). Exclusively breastfed infants had higher haemoglobin values at 4 and 6 months (mean difference 0.6; 95% CI: 0.1-1.2 g/dl and mean difference 0.9; 95% CI: 0.2-1.7 g/dl, respectively), compared with infants with early complementary feeding. In univariate analysis, past or chronic placental malaria appeared to be a predictor of IDA at 4 and 6 months, but the significance was lost in multivariate analysis.
Conclusions: Zambian NBW infants are born with low iron stores and have a high risk to develop IDA in the first 6 months of life. Continuation of exclusive breastfeeding after 4 months is associated with a reduction of anaemia. The effect of placental malaria infection on increased risk of infant IDA could not be proven.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: iron-deficiency anaemia zinc protoporphyrin complementary feeding breastfeeding placenta/parasitology zambia breast-fed infants risk-factors young-children fetal anemia human-milk deficiency criteria malawi growth supplementation
Subjects: WH Hemic and Lymphatic Systems > Hematologic Diseases. Immunologic Factors. Blood Banks > WH 190 Hemoglobin and other hemeproteins. Porphyrins (Associated with hemoglobin)
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
WS Pediatrics > By Age Groups > WS 430 Infancy
Faculty: Department: Groups (2002 - 2012) > Child & Reproductive Health Group
Digital Object Identifer (DOI): https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602862
Depositing User: Pauline Anderson
Date Deposited: 07 Jul 2010 14:51
Last Modified: 06 Feb 2018 13:00
URI: https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/654

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