Risk factors of infant anemia in the perinatal period.
BACKGROUND
Infants are at particular risk of iron-deficiency anemia. We investigated changes in the blood count of the mother and infant as well as the relationship between them and the relationship between infant nutrition method and infant anemia.


METHODS
This retrospective cohort study included healthy neonates born between August 2011 and July 2014 at St Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. Data from maternal blood samples obtained during late pregnancy and those of infants obtained at birth and at the age of 3, 6, and 9 months were analyzed. Using multivariate logistic regression, we investigated nutrition methods, maternal anemia, and other clinically relevant parameters that were potential risk factors for infant anemia.


RESULTS
In total, data for 3472 infants and their mothers were analyzed. Nutrition method was the most significant risk factor for infant anemia, with risk of future anemia decreasing in the following order: exclusive breast-feeding, partial breast-feeding, and formula feeding. Furthermore, low umbilical cord blood hemoglobin led to a tendency toward anemia in the child.


CONCLUSIONS
Infant nutrition method was the most significant factor related to anemia in late infancy. Infants with low umbilical cord blood hemoglobin are more likely to develop anemia in late infancy.
Department of Pediatrics, St Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Michio
M
Hirata
Department of Pediatrics, St Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Isao
I
Kusakawa
Center for Clinical Epidemiology, St Luke's International University, Tokyo, Japan.
Sachiko
S
Ohde
Department of Integrated Women's Health, St Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Michiko
M
Yamanaka
Department of Neonatology, Toho University, Tokyo, Japan.
Hitoshi
H
Yoda
D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D006454:Hemoglobins
anemia; breast-feeding; hematopoiesis; resuscitation; umbilical cord