Development of iron-deficiency anaemia at six months of age in Jordanian infants exclusively breastfed for four to six months

Abstract

The iron status at six months of age for a total of 66 three-month-old, full-term, normal-birthweight Jordanian infants who were exclusively breastfed for four, five, or six months postpartum is reported here. Three groups of infants were identified who were exclusively breastfed for four months (n = 14), five months (n = 15), and six months (n = 37). Iron status was evaluated by haemoglobin, plasma ferritin, and mean corpuscular volume. The prevalences of nutritional anaemia (haemoglobin < 10.5 g/dl), iron-deficiency anaemia (haemoglobin < 10.5 g/dl, mean corpuscular volume < 70 fl, and plasma ferritin < 12 ng/ml), and depletion of iron stores (plasma ferritin < 12 ng/ml) were significantly higher (p < .05) in infants exclusively breastfed for four months than in the other two groups. Significant differences were not observed between the latter two groups in the prevalence of any of these indices. Under the conditions of this study, which was carried out in a community of low to medium socio-economic status where iron-fortified weaning foods were not used, the data strongly suggest that exclusive breastfeeding for five or six months is protective against the development of nutritional anaemia or iron-deficiency anaemia at six months of age. The weaning foods used in this community have low iron content and bioavailability.