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Cheikh Ismail L, Al Dhaheri AS, Ibrahim S, Ali HI, Chokor FAZ, O’Neill LM, Mohamad MN, Kassis A, Ayesh W, Kharroubi S, Hwalla N. Nutritional status and adequacy of feeding Practices in Infants and Toddlers 0-23.9 months living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE): findings from the feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2020. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:319. [PMID: 35168591 PMCID: PMC8848814 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-12616-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infant and young child feeding practices (IYCF) impact the early and later health status of the population. Limited data is available regarding IYCF in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status and adequacy of feeding practices, energy, food, and nutrient intakes of UAE infants and toddlers ages 0-23.9 months. METHODS This study is a population-based cross-sectional survey of 276 infants and toddlers aged 0-23.9 months of which 180 were nationals and 96 were Arab non-nationals living in the UAE. Data were collected from the three major emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. Anthropometry was collected and assessed using WHO Anthro-Survey Analyzer, and a multicomponent age-specific questionnaire was used to evaluate IYCF and sociodemographic characteristics. Usual intake of energy, micronutrients, and macronutrients, including supplements, were collected using multiple-pass 24-h dietary recall and analyzed using the PC-side software. IYCF practices were assessed using the WHO indicators. RESULTS Overall, 4% of children were malnourished, 8% wasted, 15% stunted, 18% at risk of overweight, and 7% overweight and obese. 95% of infants were ever breastfed and 37% exclusively breastfed at 6 months. Around 98% of infants had a timely introduction of complementary food. Macronutrient intake exceeded AMDR for fat, carbohydrates, and protein for 27%, 8% and 2% of toddlers respectively. As for the percentage of those exceeding the ESPGHAN cut-off for free sugars set at 5% of energy intake, 28.6% had excessive intakes overall, 10% in 0-5.9, 21.9% in 6-11.9 and 56.7% in 12-23.9 month. Usual iron intake was below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) in 47% of infants 6-11.9 months. Above 12 months, the usual intake of iron and vitamin D were below EAR in 11% and 49% of toddlers respectively. Usual intake exceeded the tolerable upper intake levels (UL) for vitamin A (14 to 18%) and zinc (11 to 22%) across all ages. Approximately 93% of toddlers ages 12-23.9 months did not meet food groups' recommendations for vegetables, 87% for fruits, 48% for milk/dairy, 54% for lean meat and beans, and 33% for grains. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed that a high percentage of infants and toddlers aged 0-23.9 m suffer from a double burden of malnutrition, which is the coexistence of both undernutrition, and overweight and obesity in the same population. In addition to suboptimal feeding practices and inadequate/overconsumption of various nutrients. The findings highlight the need for the development of culturally specific programs aiming to improve the nutritional status of infants and toddlers in the UAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Cheikh Ismail
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272 United Arab Emirates
- Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 2JD UK
| | - Ayesha S. Al Dhaheri
- Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, 15551 United Arab Emirates
| | - Sarah Ibrahim
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Habiba I. Ali
- Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, 15551 United Arab Emirates
| | - Fatima Al Zahraa Chokor
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Lynda M. O’Neill
- Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences, Nestlé Research Center, Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., Vers-chez-les-Blanc, 1000, 26 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Maysm N. Mohamad
- Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, 15551 United Arab Emirates
| | - Amira Kassis
- Whiteboard Nutrition Science, Beaconsfield, Quebec, Canada
| | - Wafaa Ayesh
- Public Health Protection Department, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Samer Kharroubi
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nahla Hwalla
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut, Lebanon
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Cerf ME. Healthy lifestyles and noncommunicable diseases: Nutrition, the life‐course, and health promotion. LIFESTYLE MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/lim2.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marlon E. Cerf
- Grants, Innovation and Product Development South African Medical Research Council Cape Town South Africa
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform South African Medical Research Council Cape Town South Africa
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Abstract
Food allergy is a significant public health concern, with a rising prevalence. Elimination diets remain the cornerstone of food allergy management, and they are not without nutritional risk. Children who avoid nutritionally important foods, such as milk or multiple foods allergens, may be at greater risk. Even adults with food allergies may encounter challenges to meet current recommended dietary guidelines for health and reduced risk of chronic disease. The type of food allergy disorder will also impact nutritional risk. A food allergy affects food choices, nutritional intake, and health; therefore, guidance to provide nutritionally appropriate substitutes within the context of the elimination diet is invaluable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Groetch
- From the Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, and
| | - Carina Venter
- From the Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, and
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Campion-Smith TJ, Kerac M, McGrath M, Berkley JA. Antimicrobial and micronutrient interventions for the management of infants under 6 months of age identified with severe malnutrition: a literature review. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9175. [PMID: 32974089 PMCID: PMC7487149 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infants under 6 months (U6M) contribute a significant proportion of the burden and mortality of severe malnutrition globally. Evidence of underlying aetiology in this population is sparse, but it is known that the group includes ex-preterm and low birthweight (LBW) infants. They represent a unique population given their dependence on breastmilk or a safe, secure alternative. Nutrition agencies and health providers struggle to make programming decisions on which interventions should be provided to this group based upon the 2013 WHO Guidelines for the 'Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition in Infants and Young Children' since there are no published interventional trial data focussed on this population. Interim guidance for this group might be informed by evidence of safety and efficacy in adjacent population groups. METHODOLOGY A narrative literature review was performed of systematic reviews, meta-analyses and randomised controlled trials of antimicrobial and micronutrient interventions (antibiotics, deworming, vitamin A, vitamin D, iron, zinc, folic acid and oral rehydration solution (ORS) for malnutrition) across the population groups of low birthweight/preterm infants, infants under 6 months, infants and children over 6 months with acute malnutrition or through supplementation to breastfeeding mothers. Outcomes of interest were safety and efficacy, in terms of mortality and morbidity. RESULTS Ninety-four articles were identified for inclusion within this review. None of these studied interventions exclusively in severely malnourished infants U6M. 64% reported on the safety of studied interventions. Significant heterogeneity was identified in definitions of study populations, interventions provided, and outcomes studied. The evidence for efficacy and safety across population groups is reviewed and presented for the interventions listed. CONCLUSIONS The direct evidence base for medical interventions for severely malnourished infants U6M is sparse. Our review identifies a specific need for accurate micronutrient profiling and interventional studies of micronutrients and oral fluid management of diarrhoea amongst infants U6M meeting anthropometric criteria for severe malnutrition. Indirect evidence presented in this review may help shape interim policy and programming decisions as well as the future research agenda for the management of infants U6M identified as malnourished.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marko Kerac
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - James A. Berkley
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
- The Childhood Acute Illness & Nutrition (CHAIN) Network, Nairobi, Kenya
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Abstract
Healthy, term, breastfed infants usually have adequate iron stores that, together with the small amount of iron that is contributed by breast milk, make them iron sufficient until ≥6 mo of age. The appropriate concentration of iron in infant formula to achieve iron sufficiency is more controversial. Infants who are fed formula with varying concentrations of iron generally achieve sufficiency with iron concentrations of 2 mg/L (i.e., with iron status that is similar to that of breastfed infants at 6 mo of age). Regardless of the feeding choice, infants' capacity to regulate iron homeostasis is important but less well understood than the regulation of iron absorption in adults, which is inverse to iron status and strongly upregulated or downregulated. Infants who were given daily iron drops compared with a placebo from 4 to 6 mo of age had similar increases in hemoglobin concentrations. In addition, isotope studies have shown no difference in iron absorption between infants with high or low hemoglobin concentrations at 6 mo of age. Together, these findings suggest a lack of homeostatic regulation of iron homeostasis in young infants. However, at 9 mo of age, homeostatic regulatory capacity has developed although, to our knowledge, its extent is not known. Studies in suckling rat pups showed similar results with no capacity to regulate iron homeostasis at 10 d of age when fully nursing, but such capacity occurred at 20 d of age when pups were partially weaned. The major iron transporters in the small intestine divalent metal-ion transporter 1 (DMT1) and ferroportin were not affected by pup iron status at 10 d of age but were strongly affected by iron status at 20 d of age. Thus, mechanisms that regulate iron homeostasis are developed at the time of weaning. Overall, studies in human infants and experimental animals suggest that iron homeostasis is absent or limited early in infancy largely because of a lack of regulation of the iron transporters DMT1 and ferroportin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Lönnerdal
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
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6
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Abstract
We compared the efficacy of ferrous sulfate (divalent) and ferric polymaltose (trivalent) compounds for the prophylaxis of iron-deficiency anemia (IDA). Study infants included exclusively breast milk-fed term infants. Subjects were divided randomly into 2 groups at 4 months of age and group 1 (n=56) received divalent and group 2 (n=56) received trivalent iron (Fe) preparation at a dose of 2 mg/kg/d for 5 months. At 9 months of age, after a 5-month prophylaxis, a significant increase was observed in hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit, serum Fe levels, and transferrin saturation in both groups. However, group 1 had significantly higher Hb, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, Fe, and transferrin saturation than group 2 (11.7±0.6 g/dL, 34.6%±1.7%, 76.2±2.9 fL, 55.5±1.8 mcg, 20.8±3.9 g/L, respectively in group 1 vs. 11.3±0.5 g/dL, 33.5%±1.5%, 74.7±3.2 fL, 42.5±1.8 mcg, 14.1±7.5 g/L, respectively in group 2). No significant difference was found in ferritin values between the groups. Fe deficiency was found in 17 (30.3%) of the subjects in group 1, and 23 (41%) of subjects in group 2 whereas 5 (8.9%) subjects had IDA in group 1 and 12 (12%) in group 2 which were insignificant between groups. No significant difference was found with regard to side effects between 2 Fe preparations. Although divalent Fe therapy led to a higher Hb and serum Fe level, both ferrous and ferric Fe preparations were effective for prophylactic use in the prevention of Fe deficiency and IDA with comparable side effects.
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Burke RM, Rebolledo PA, Fabiszewski de Aceituno AM, Revollo R, Iñiguez V, Klein M, Drews-Botsch C, Leon JS, Suchdev PS. Early deterioration of iron status among a cohort of Bolivian infants. MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION 2016; 13. [PMID: 27928891 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.12404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Revised: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are major contributors to infant and maternal morbidity worldwide. There is limited longitudinal data on iron status in young infants and on methods to adjust iron biomarkers for inflammation. We aimed to quantify the prevalence of inflammation-adjusted ID, anemia, and IDA over the first year in a cohort of Bolivian infants and their mothers. Healthy mother-infant dyads were recruited from two peri-urban hospitals. Infants provided three blood draws (2, 6-8, and 12-18 months; N = 160); mothers provided two blood draws (1 and 6-8 months postpartum [plus third anemia measurement at 12-18 months]; N = 250). Blood was analyzed for hemoglobin, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, C-reactive protein (CRP), and alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein (AGP). Iron biomarkers were adjusted for inflammation using CRP and AGP; hemoglobin cutoffs were adjusted for altitude. Inflammation (elevated CRP or AGP) was 17% among toddlers 12-18 months of age. ID (inflammation-adjusted ferritin) increased with age (<1%, 56%, and 79% at each blood draw), as did anemia and IDA (anemia: 70%, 76%, and 81%; IDA: <1%, 46%, and 68%). Maternal ID declined from the first to second assessment (39% vs. 27%). Inflammation-adjusted ID prevalence was up to 15 percentage points higher than unadjusted estimates. The high prevalence of ID, anemia, and IDA in this cohort of Bolivian infants beginning at 6-8 months of age suggests that early interventions may be necessary in vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M Burke
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Paulina A Rebolledo
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Rita Revollo
- Servicio Departamental de Salud, La Paz, Bolivia
| | - Volga Iñiguez
- Instituto de Biotecnología y Microbiología, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, La Paz, Bolivia
| | - Mitchel Klein
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Carolyn Drews-Botsch
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Juan S Leon
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Parminder S Suchdev
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Nutrition Branch, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Role of Young Child Formulae and Supplements to Ensure Nutritional Adequacy in U.K. Young Children. Nutrients 2016; 8:nu8090539. [PMID: 27598195 PMCID: PMC5037526 DOI: 10.3390/nu8090539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Revised: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) states that young child formulae (YCFs) "cannot be considered as a necessity to satisfy the nutritional requirements" of children aged 12-36 months. This study quantifies the dietary changes needed to ensure nutritional adequacy in U.K. young children who consume YCFs and/or supplements and in those who do not. Dietary data from 1147 young children (aged 12-18 months) were used to identify, using linear programming models, the minimum changes needed to ensure nutritional adequacy: (i) by changing the quantities of foods initially consumed by each child (repertoire-foods); and (ii) by introducing new foods (non-repertoire-foods). Most of the children consumed neither YCFs, nor supplements (61.6%). Nutritional adequacy with repertoire-foods alone was ensured for only one child in this group, against 74.4% of the children consuming YCFs and supplement. When access to all foods was allowed, smaller food changes were required when YCFs and supplements were initially consumed than when they were not. In the total sample, the main dietary shifts needed to ensure nutritional adequacy were an increase in YCF and a decrease in cow's milk (+226 g/day and -181 g/day, respectively). Increasing YCF and supplement consumption was the shortest way to cover the EFSA nutrient requirements of U.K. children.
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10
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Qasem WA, Friel JK. An Overview of Iron in Term Breast-Fed Infants. Clin Med Insights Pediatr 2015; 9:79-84. [PMID: 26448697 PMCID: PMC4583094 DOI: 10.4137/cmped.s26572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Revised: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 06/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Iron is an essential nutrient for normal growth and neurodevelopment of infants. Iron deficiency (ID) remains the most common micronutrient deficiency worldwide. There are convincing data that ID is associated with negative effects on neurological and psychomotor development. OBJECTIVES In this review, we provide an overview of current knowledge of the importance of iron in normal term breast-fed infants with a focus on recommendations, metabolism, and iron requirements. CONCLUSIONS Health organizations around the world recommend the introduction of iron-rich foods or iron supplements for growing infants to prevent ID. However, there is no routine screening for ID in infancy. Multicenter trials with long-term follow-up are needed to investigate the association between iron fortification/supplementation and various health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wafaa A. Qasem
- Department of Human Nutritional Sciences, Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - James K. Friel
- Department of Human Nutritional Sciences, Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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Bock F, Borucki K, Vorwerk P, Biemann R, Isermann B. A two-and-a-half-year-old breastfed toddler presenting with anemia: a case report. BMC Res Notes 2014; 7:917. [PMID: 25514884 PMCID: PMC4300836 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-7-917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 12/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anemia is a common presentation in children but the differential diagnosis of iron deficiency and β-thalassemia remains a diagnostic challenge. Red blood cell indices have been shown to perform weakly in such scenarios. One potential cause is breastfeeding, but the evidence for unusually prolonged exclusive breastfeeding as a cause of iron deficiency anemia in older (>2 years) toddlers is sparse and the association of breastfeeding with iron deficiency in this age group of older toddlers is not unequivocally established. In this case we describe an unusual cause of nutritional iron deficiency anemia in the age group of 2-3 years. CASE PRESENTATION We describe a two-and-a-half-year-old Turkish boy who presented to our outpatient clinic with recurrent diarrhea and anemia. The patient was febrile (99.1°F) with pale skin and signs of mild dehydration. A reduced nutritional status with a weight of 11.5 kg between the 3rd and 10th percentile was noted. Nutritional evaluation revealed that the boy was still exclusively breastfed with more than 6 times breastfeedings per day. Iron supplementation ameliorated the anemia and reduced hypochromic red blood cells. CONCLUSION The case demonstrates that unusually prolonged (longer than two years) exclusive breastfeeding is a potential cause of iron deficiency anemia in older toddlers. We discuss a simple combination of laboratory tests with ferritin and red cell distribution width that together with a nutritional evaluation provide a quick diagnosis and show that even at such an advanced stage of nutritional iron deficiency oral iron supplementation is an effective treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Berend Isermann
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
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Burke RM, Leon JS, Suchdev PS. Identification, prevention and treatment of iron deficiency during the first 1000 days. Nutrients 2014; 6:4093-114. [PMID: 25310252 PMCID: PMC4210909 DOI: 10.3390/nu6104093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Revised: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron deficiency is a global problem across the life course, but infants and their mothers are especially vulnerable to both the development and the consequences of iron deficiency. Maternal iron deficiency during pregnancy can predispose offspring to the development of iron deficiency during infancy, with potentially lifelong sequelae. This review explores iron status throughout these "first 1000 days" from pregnancy through two years of age, covering the role of iron and the epidemiology of iron deficiency, as well as its consequences, identification, interventions and remaining research gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M Burke
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Juan S Leon
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Parminder S Suchdev
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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Torsvik IK, Markestad T, Ueland PM, Nilsen RM, Midttun O, Bjørke Monsen AL. Evaluating iron status and the risk of anemia in young infants using erythrocyte parameters. Pediatr Res 2013; 73:214-20. [PMID: 23168578 DOI: 10.1038/pr.2012.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Correct evaluation of iron status is important in young infants because both iron deficiency and excess may have negative effects on development, growth, and morbidity. METHODS We evaluated iron status using erythrocyte parameters, including reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr) in infants with birth weight <3,000 g (n = 80). Blood samples and infant characteristics were recorded at 6 wk and at 4 and 6 months. Infants with a birth weight ≤2,500 g (n = 36) were recommended for iron supplementation. RESULTS Despite a significantly poorer status at 6 wk, iron-supplemented infants had significantly higher hemoglobin level (Hb): 12.2 (SD = 0.8) g/dl and CHr: 28.3 (SD = 1.4) pg at 6 mo, as compared with nonsupplemented infants, Hb: 11.7 (SD = 1.0) g/dl, P = 0.02 and CHr: 26.5 (SD = 2.5) pg, P < 0.001. Prolonged exclusive breastfeeding, high weight gain, and male gender were the predisposing factors for a low iron status at 6 mo. A CHr cutoff level of 26.9 pg at 4 mo proved to be a sensitive predictor for anemia at 6 mo. CONCLUSION Signs of an iron-restricted erythropoiesis were observed in nonsupplemented infants (birth weight 2,501-3,000 g), and CHr was a useful tool for evaluating iron status. The need for iron supplementation in certain infant risk populations should be further evaluated.
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