PREVALENCE OF IRON DEFICIENCY AND IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA IN 3 TO 5 MONTHS OLD BREASTFED HEALTHY INFANTS

Abstract

Background: The vulnerability of infants to iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is well-recognized globally, given that iron demands are elevated during this period of rapid physical and cognitive development.

Aim: To assess the prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in exclusively breastfed 3 to 5 month’s old infants, born at term with a birth-weight of ≥2500 grams and  the Influence of Socioeconomic Status, Gender, Gestational Age, and Mode of Delivery on Infant Iron Status.

Methods: Prospective Cross-sectional study carried in the Postgraduate Department of Pediatrics at 500 Bedded Children Hospital, Associated Hospital Government Medical College, Srinagar involving   130 healthy infants, aged 3 to 5 months, who were exclusively breastfed, along with their mothers.  Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethical and Medical Review Board of the Government Medical College, Srinagar, prior to initiating the study. Written informed consent was obtained from all mothers. The study adhered to the principles outlined in the Infants were primarily recruited during routine vaccination visits or as asymptomatic siblings of children attending the nutrition clinic. Eligible infants were selected based on strict inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure homogeneity of the study population. Blood samples were obtained to measure hemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin levels in both infants and mothers. Chi square test was used to analyze the relationship between two categorical variables and to compare a continuous variable at baseline and follow up. A, P-value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.  

Results: Out of 130 infants, 28 (21.54%) were diagnosed with iron deficiency. 19 infants (14.62%) had iron deficiency anemia, characterized by low hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels. 13 infants exhibited anemia (Hb <10.5 g/dL) but had normal ferritin levels (>12 ng/mL), suggesting that their anemia may have been caused by factors such as vitamin B12 deficiency or other nutritional deficiencies, genetic disorders, hemoglobinopathies. There was a significant relationship between maternal and infant iron status. 46.43% of infants with ID had mothers who also had ID, and 47.36% of infants with IDA were born to mothers with IDA. There was a socioeconomic gradient in the prevalence of ID and IDA. Marked increase in both ID and IDA with increasing age, particularly in the group of infants aged 151–180 days.

Conclusion:  Our study reveals a significant relationship between maternal anemia and infant iron deficiency anemia with notable increase in prevalence as infants’ age; these findings are consistent with existing literature that emphasizes the critical role of maternal health in influencing infant iron status and highlights the need for timely intervention