Iron status of exclusively breastfed low-birth-weight infants born to anemic mothers and effect of maternal iron supplementation for 3 versus 6 months: A randomized double-blind placebo control trial

Abstract

BackgroundThe effect of maternal iron supplementation during lactation on the iron status of exclusively breastfed low-birth-weight (LBW) infants is not known.Objective(1) To find out the number of LBW exclusively breastfed infants having hemoglobin < 10.5 g/dL at 6 months when mothers received iron. (2) To find out the proportion of anemic infants when mothers received iron for 3 and 6 months.DesignThe Clinical Trials Registry, India (CTRI) registered trial (CTRI/2018/08/015516) double-blind randomized control trial participants: A total of 80 anemic mothers and exclusively breastfed LBW infants.InterventionA total of 80 anemic mothers and exclusively breastfed infants, birth weight 1,500–2,499 g, randomized into two groups of 40 each. Mothers received daily iron for 3 months and placebo for the next 3 months in group A and iron for 6 months in group B. Iron profile of mothers and infants measured at recruitment and 6 months.ResultsIn total, 26.6% infants developed anemia till 6 months of age, and number of anemic infants were similar whether mothers received iron for 3 (n = 9) or 6 months (n = 11). Hemoglobin (12.89 + 0.46 vs. 12.44 + 0.48 g/dL; p < 0.001) and serum ferritin (27.45 + 7.60 vs. 18.94 + 5.36 ng/mL; p < 0.001) were significantly higher in infants at 6 months of age whose mothers received iron for 6 months in comparison to 3 months. Conclusion: totally, 26.6% exclusively breastfed infants developed anemia till 6 months of age when mothers took iron; number of anemic infants were not different if mothers received iron for 3 or 6 months. A significant increase was noted in serum ferritin with slightly higher hemoglobin of infants when mothers received iron for longer duration.Clinical trial registration[http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pubview.php], identifier [CTRI/2018/08/015516].