Are Infants Exclusively Breastfed up to 6 Months of Age at Risk of Anemia?
Siraporn Sawasdivorn MD*, Suwanna Taeviriyakul MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Pediatrics, Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, College, of Medicine, Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To compare the incidence of anemia between infants who received exclusive breast feeding (EBF) up to the age of
6 months and those who did not.
Material and Method: A cross sectional survey was conducted to examine the physical growth, incidence of anemia, mean
hematocrit (Hct) level and other red cell indices among 6-month-old infants visiting a well-child clinic at QSNICH and
Ramathibodi Hospital.
Results : 63 infants were included in the present study: 24 (38%) EBF group; and 39 (62%) non-EBF group. Mean Hct of EBF
group was 34.5 + 1.7 and Non-EBF group was 35.1 + 2.3% respectively. The prevalence of anemia in the EBF group was
4.2%, non-EBF group was 12.8%. Even though the findings were not statistically significant, the authors found that the red
blood cell indices in an anemic infant in the EBF group were not caused by iron deficiency, while the 4 of 5 anemic infants in
the Non-EBF group were related to iron deficiency anemia (80%). Other growth parameters were compared between the two
groups.
Conclusion : The present study did not show statistical difference regarding the different hematocrit and other red blood cell
indices including other fundamental background but the prevalence of anemia appeared to be higher among Non-EBF
compared to EBF up to 6 months. The cause of anemia was not related to iron deficiency anemia in the EBF group compared
to those higher and related to iron deficiency anemia in the Non-EBF group.
Suggestion: EBF up to 6 months should be advocated given its substantial health benefit and does not increase the risk of
anemia. Nevertheless, it is essential that mothers receive adequate nutritional supplement including iron during pregnancy
and lactation period.
Keywords : Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), Anemia, Infant
