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Iron Status at Age 6 Months in Colombian Infants Exclusively Breast-fed for 4-5 Versus 6 Months.

Olaya, GA; Lawson, M; Fewtrell, M; (2017) Iron Status at Age 6 Months in Colombian Infants Exclusively Breast-fed for 4-5 Versus 6 Months. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition , 64 (3) pp. 465-471. 10.1097/MPG.0000000000001301. Green open access

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: The optimal age for introducing complementary feeding to breast-fed infants may differ depending on the setting. Prolonged exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) protects against infection but may increase the risk of iron deficiency (ID)/anaemia (IDA) in vulnerable infants. AIM: To compare haemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin (SF)), anaemia (Hb < 11 g/l), ID (SF < 12 μg/l) and IDA (Hb<10.5 g/dl+Hct<33%+ID) using observational analyses in 6-month old infants from Bogota, Colombia who were EBF for 4-5 versus ≥6 months; and examine predictors. METHODS: Infant feeding was recorded, anthropometry performed and blood obtained for Hb and SF at 6 months in healthy term infants (birth weight > 2500 g), all EBF for ≥4 months. RESULTS: 108 infants (54% boys) were recruited; 46% EBF for 4-5mo, 54% EBF at 6mo. Prevalence of anaemia, ID and IDA was 20%, 10% and 5%, with no significant difference between EBF4-5 and EBF6 groups. In multivariate models, anaemia/ID were predicted by greater weight gain from 0-6 mo, and anaemia also by caesarean delivery; Hb was lower in infants with higher intake of cows' milk; SF was lower in boys and those with greater weight gain. EBF4-5 versus EBF6 was not a significant predictor of any outcome. CONCLUSION: Anaemia and ID were common at 6 months but were not affected by EBF for 4-5 versus 6 months, suggesting 6 months EBF is safe in this population. However, further research is required to examine effects on later iron status. The findings highlight the need to emphasise avoidance of cow's milk before 12 months.

Type: Article
Title: Iron Status at Age 6 Months in Colombian Infants Exclusively Breast-fed for 4-5 Versus 6 Months.
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000001301
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0000000000001301
Language: English
Additional information: © 2016 by European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology / Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. This manuscript version is published under a Creative Commons Attribution–Non-Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC) (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/). Access may be initially restricted by the publisher. the final published version of record can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0000000000001301.
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL GOS Institute of Child Health
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL GOS Institute of Child Health > Population, Policy and Practice Dept
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1508894
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