To Determine the Pattern of Change in Iron Stores of Exclusively Breast Fed Infants during First 06 Months of Life

Abstract

Background & Methods: The aim of the study is to determine the pattern of change in iron stores of exclusively breast fed infants during first six months of life. The infants visiting the Immunisation centre for vaccination were enrolled for the study after written and informed consent. The infants who were healthy and exclusively breast fed and who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were followed up 3 times i.e. at 1.5, 3.5 and 6 months of age.
Results: Mean haemoglobin, mean MCV and mean serum Ferritin of infants born to mothers who received iron supplementation during pregnancy is 11.9gm/dl, 78.13fl and 108.46ng/ml; as compared to infants of mothers who did not receive iron during pregnancy which was 11.26 gm/dl, 78.08 fl and 76.94ng/ml respectively. At first visit, the mean values of serum ferritin was higher in infants born to mothers who received iron during pregnancy, with a statistically significant P value of 0.03.
Conclusion: In our study; out of 150 infants enrolled in the study, 65% of infants were not included for subsequent visits out of which 76.9% of infants lost to follow up; 18.5% of infants were not exclusively breast fed and 4.6% were dropped due to medical or surgical
emergency. Mothers of 66% of infants received oral iron. There was no association between mean haemoglobin in infants born to mothers who received iron supplementation during pregnancy. However mean serum ferritin was significantly increased in infants of mother who received iron supplementation during pregnancy in all the three visits.