Risks of anemia in infants according to dietary iron density and weight gain rate.
BACKGROUND
The objective of the study was to identify risk factors of infant anemia and to assess a new indirect method to identify the risks of anemia using a probability curve based on dietary iron density and weight gain rate.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted on 110 term infants in a public health unit in Goiania, Brazil. A socioeconomic, demographic, anthropometric survey and dietary assessment were performed. Hemoglobin, red blood cell distribution width (RDW), ferritin, and C-reactive protein were determined.


RESULTS
The risk factors identified by final adjusted logistic regression were male infants (OR = 2.38), infants whose mothers were housewives (OR = 5.01), and households with more than three members (OR = 3.08). Another risk factor was the introduction of meat after 6 months (OR = 3.3). There was a positive dose-response effect between milk consumption and prevalence of anemia adjusted for sex and age (Effect = 0.120; 95% CI: 0.015, 0.225). Dietary iron density (from 6 to 9 months) and weight gain rate (from 9 to 12 months) significantly affected the probability of the infant having anemia.


CONCLUSIONS
The probability curve for anemia obtained from dietary iron density and weight gain rate can be used to identify the risks of anemia, and together with the risk factors identified are important for anemia prevention programs.
Hadler
Maria-Claret C M
MC
Faculty of Nutrition, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, 74605-080, Brazil. clarethadler@uol.com.br
Colugnati
Fernando A B
FA
Sigulem
Dirce M
DM
D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D005526:Food, Formulated; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D016015:Logistic Models; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology
D019266:Iron, Dietary; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D005293:Ferritins