Changes in haemoglobin levels in infants in Malawi: effect of low birth weight and fetal anaemia.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of low birth weight (LBW) and fetal anaemia (FA) on haemoglobin (Hb) patterns in infancy. To study the additional contribution of other risk factors known at birth. To examine the effect of iron supplementation during infancy on Hb levels.


METHODS
A stratified cohort of infants in Malawi (83 with LBW (< 2500 g), 111 with FA (cord Hb < 125 g/l), 31 with both LBW and FA, and 176 controls) was followed during infancy. Hb levels were measured at about 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months of age. Repeated measures models were used to describe the changes in Hb levels over time.


RESULTS
The mean Hb concentration in the control group was 95.5 g/l (95% confidence interval (CI) 92.5 to 98.5) at 2 months, 86.9 g/l (95% CI 84.4 to 89.4) at 9 months, and 898 g/l (95% CI 874 to 92.2) at 12 months. Differences between LBW infants and controls increased over time (difference at 12 months: 5.5 g/l (95% CI 1.3 to 9.7)). Infants with FA had borderline significantly lower Hb at 2 months (p = 0.07), but at 6 months their levels were similar to those of controls. The LBW infants and those with FA had the lowest Hb levels (difference from controls at 12 months 7.9 g/l). Parity, placental and maternal malaria at delivery, and sex significantly affected Hb levels after adjustment for LBW and FA. After iron supplementation, Hb significantly increased.


CONCLUSIONS
Antimalarial control and iron supplementation throughout pregnancy should be increased to reduce the incidence of infant anaemia and improve child development and survival.
le Cessie
S
S
Department of Medical Statistics, Leiden University Medical Centre, The Netherlands. cessie@lumc.nl
Verhoeff
F H
FH
Mengistie
G
G
Kazembe
P
P
Broadhead
R
R
Brabin
B J
BJ
D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000151:congenital / Q000188:drug therapy; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight / Q000097:blood*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008288:Malaria / Q000097:blood / Q000151:congenital; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors
D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D006454:Hemoglobins; C020748:ferrous sulfate