[Hemoglobin concentration in children from birth to one year of age].
This study aimed to describe the evolution of hemoglobin concentration considering the following factors: birth weight, growth rate, and food intake. The cross-sectional study focused on infants (<1 year of age) whose growth and development were monitored by public health services in cities located in the five geographic regions of Brazil. Some 51.7% of the children aged 6 to 12 months presented anemia. Estimation of [Hb] concentration by a theoretical equation suggested that endogenous iron is able to maintain normal Hb levels in the first three months of life. Prevalence of reduced Hb was higher in low birth weight infants. Growth rate, verified by the difference between present weight and birth weight in Z scores, was not the relevant factor for hemoglobin concentration. The relevance of breastfeeding was evident in the initial months of life. However, complementary foods did not influence infant Hb concentration. The high prevalence of low Hb levels calls attention to the need for programs to control anemia.
Szarfarc
Sophia Cornbluth
SC
Departamento de Nutrição, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
de Souza
Sonia Buongermino
SB
Furumoto
Rosemeire Aparecida Victória
RA
Brunken
Gisela Soares
GS
Assis
Ana Marlúcia Oliveira
AM
Gaudenzi
Edileuza Nunes
EN
Silva
Rita de Cássia Ribeiro
Rde C
de Souza
José Maria Pacheco
JM
D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001724:Birth Weight; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D001942:Breast Feeding; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D006128:Growth / Q000502:physiology; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000097:blood; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies
D006454:Hemoglobins