Hi

I'm looking for a copy of an article in the Nutrition Research journal from
May 1995:
"Iron and Lactoferrin in milk of anemic mothers given iron supplements" by
Zavaleta.

Does anybody on Lactnet subscribe to this journal and/or have access to it?

I'm working with a mother who has Crohn's disease whose iron levels have
been extremely low. Her doctor wanted to try giving her iron dextran, an
unmetabolized iron to be given IV. Mom is still nursing a 2 year old and
asked if it was okay to continue to nurse with this treatment. First they
said yes, got her hooked up and gave her about half of the prescribed dose
and then came in and announced she would have to wean. Mom refused the rest
of the treatment. Needless to say it was a nightmare. We were able to get
some information on the iron dextran that indicated it has a molecular
weight of 5000, and would not pass through to the milk on that basis alone.

A month after this half treatment she had a follow up exam and her iron
levels are extremely low still. They went up some but not much. The doctor
is convinced it is because she only got half the dose, and because she is
still nursing (ie, nursing the  2 year old is taking iron from her system....)

We have not seen this article, but thought it might have some information
that would help her. She is also studying the possibility of finding an
alternative iron therapy that would work for her that there would not be a
problem with her taking while either pregnant (she's not, but wants to be
down the road) or nursing.

I would be happy to pay for postage and copy costs if anyone has this
article. (Email me privately, please.) And if anyone has any other
suggestions or experience with iron supplementation for Crohn's patients,
we'd appreciate that as well (post that here!).

Thanks in advance!
Melissa Vickers, IBCLC
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