Sudarsan Krishnaswamy1, Dharmagat Bhattarai1, Bhavneet Bharti2, Prateek Bhatia1, Reena Das3, Deepak Bansal4. 1. Hematology-Oncology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatrics Center, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India. 2. Social Pediatrics Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatrics Center, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. 3. Department of Hematology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. 4. Hematology-Oncology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatrics Center, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India. deepakbansaldr@gmail.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in predominantly breastfed, 3-5-mo-old infants, born at term, with a birth weight ≥ 2.5 kg. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted in the outpatient department of a tertiary care center from January 2013 through December 2014. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Age: 90-180 d, exclusively/predominantly breastfed, birth weight ≥ 2.5 kg and term gestation. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: systemic illness, leucocytosis, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, peripheral smear abnormality or iron supplementation. Blood sample was collected for complete blood count and ferritin assay. ID was defined as serum ferritin <12 μg/L. IDA was defined as ID plus Hb ≤ 10.5 g/dl. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety six infants were initially recruited; 29 declined consent; 22 had leukocytosis, leucopenia or eosinophilia; 15 had thrombocytopenia; 15 samples were hemolyzed or insufficient. Finally, 215 infants were evaluated. The male-female ratio was 1.8:1. The mean birth weight was 2.9 (0.4) kg. The mean Hb was 10.8 (1.2) g/dl. The median serum ferritin was 44 μg/L (18, 120). The prevalence of ID at 3, 4 and 5 mo of age was 5.4%, 21.4% and 36.4%, while that of IDA was 4.6%, 16.7% and 11.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of ID at 4 and 5 mo of age in predominantly breastfed, term infants was 21.4% and 36.4%, respectively. The study generates evidence for considering iron supplementation for well-babies from 4 mo of age, instead of the currently recommended 6 mo by National Iron plus Initiative in India.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in predominantly breastfed, 3-5-mo-old infants, born at term, with a birth weight ≥ 2.5 kg. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted in the outpatient department of a tertiary care center from January 2013 through December 2014. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Age: 90-180 d, exclusively/predominantly breastfed, birth weight ≥ 2.5 kg and term gestation. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: systemic illness, leucocytosis, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, peripheral smear abnormality or iron supplementation. Blood sample was collected for complete blood count and ferritin assay. ID was defined as serum ferritin <12 μg/L. IDA was defined as ID plus Hb ≤ 10.5 g/dl. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety six infants were initially recruited; 29 declined consent; 22 had leukocytosis, leucopenia or eosinophilia; 15 had thrombocytopenia; 15 samples were hemolyzed or insufficient. Finally, 215 infants were evaluated. The male-female ratio was 1.8:1. The mean birth weight was 2.9 (0.4) kg. The mean Hb was 10.8 (1.2) g/dl. The median serum ferritin was 44 μg/L (18, 120). The prevalence of ID at 3, 4 and 5 mo of age was 5.4%, 21.4% and 36.4%, while that of IDA was 4.6%, 16.7% and 11.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of ID at 4 and 5 mo of age in predominantly breastfed, term infants was 21.4% and 36.4%, respectively. The study generates evidence for considering iron supplementation for well-babies from 4 mo of age, instead of the currently recommended 6 mo by National Iron plus Initiative in India.
Entities:
Keywords:
Anemia; Breastfeeding; Infants; Iron deficiency; Supplementation