Impact of maternal anemia on the infant's iron status at 9 months of age.
BACKGROUND
Iron-deficiency anemia during pregnancy is still common in developed countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of maternal anemia on the infant's iron status at 9 months of age in Moncton, NB.


METHODS
Mothers giving birth between April 1998 and February 1999 were selected from medical records. A letter was sent to invite them to participate. In total, 75 mothers with their infants were examined.


RESULTS
The proportion of iron-deficiency anemia was higher (p = 0.055) in the group born to anemic compared to non-anemic mothers. A positive association between the mother's haemoglobin and haematocrit during her 3rd trimester and her infant's haemoglobin and haematocrit was found at 9 months of age. These results are not explained by differences in feeding practices and socio-economic status between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Infants born to mildly anemic mothers may be at risk of developing anemia.
Savoie
Nadya
N
Ecole des sciences des aliments, de nutrition et d'études familiales, Université de Moncton, Moncton, Nouveau-Brunswick, E1A 3E9.
Rioux
France M
FM
D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007229:Infant Welfare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D009509:New Brunswick; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood*; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires