QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Monterrosa, E. C. Articles by Willows, N. D. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Monterrosa, E. C. Articles by Willows, N. D.

---

Community and International Nutrition

Predominant Breast-Feeding from Birth to Six Months Is Associated with Fewer Gastrointestinal Infections and Increased Risk for Iron Deficiency among Infants^1,2

³ Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Sciences, University of Alberta, T6G 2P5 Edmonton, Canada; ⁴ Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853; ⁵ Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208; ⁶ Instituto de Nutrición Humana, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, México 44340; and ⁷ Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, T6G 2J3 Edmonton, Canada

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: noreen.willows{at}ualberta.ca.

Iron deficiency (ID) is prevalent among infants world-wide and may be more likely among infants born to women living in disadvantaged environments. A strategy to address ID in this context is to feed iron-fortified formula, but this may create risk for gastrointestinal (GI) infection. Our objective was to investigate the relationship between infant feeding practices, iron status, and likelihood of a GI infection in the first 6 mo of life. We conducted a prospective study at a public hospital in Guadalajara, Mexico. Healthy women who gave birth to a healthy term infant were eligible to participate. Each month, mothers (n = 154) provided information on infant feeding methods and symptoms of GI infection. At 6 mo of age, infants' iron status was assessed [hemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin concentration]. When compared with nonpredominantly breast-fed [partially breast-feeding (PBF) and formula feeding (FF) combined], predominantly breast-fed (PRBF) infants to 6 mo had a lower incidence of GI infection from 0–6 mo [18 vs. 33%; P = 0.04; adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.4; 95% CI = 0.2, 1.0] but a higher risk for ID (serum ferritin < 12 µg/L) at 6 mo (22 vs. 4%; P = 0.001; adjusted OR = 9.2; 95% CI = 2.3, 37.0). Anemia (Hb < 110 g/L) prevalence did not differ among feeding groups (13% for PRBF, 19% for PBF, and 4% for FF; P = 0.09). In this low-income population, our results suggest that PRBF should be promoted and the risk for ID managed using public health and nutrition strategies.