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Subject:
From:
"<Martha Brower> (mgb)" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 11 Oct 1995 22:20:58 -0400
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Today while returning an overdue book at the hospital library, I stumbled
upon this article: "Iron Status in Breast-Fed Infants" by Alfredo Pisacane et
al. Journal of Pediatrics  Sept 1995 p429-431.

Study was done in Naples, Italy.

Abstract: Iron status of 30 infants who had been breastfed until their first
birthday and who had never received cow milk, medicinal iron or iron-enriched
formula and cereals was investigated; 30% were anemic at 12 months of age.
 The duration of exclusive breast-feeding was significantly longer among
NONANEMIC (my emphasis) infants (6.5 vs 5.5 months.)  None of the infants who
were exclusively breast fed for 7 months or more and 43% of those who were
breast fed for a shorter time were anemic.  Infants who were exclusively
breast fed for a prolonged period had a good iron status at 12 and 24 months.

"The high prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among breast-fed infants is
the reason for the current policy of giving iron to breast-fed infants after
the fourth month of life.  When the duration of exclusive breast-feeding was
not taken into account, our infants had a high prevalence of iron deficiency
and of anemia very similar to that of the infants recently studied in
Argentina. However, among those who had been exclusively breastfed for 7
months or longer, anemia was absent, even if iron stores were low in about
20% of cases.  THUS, FUTURE STUDIES SHOULD CONSIDER THE DURATION OF EXCLUSIVE
BREAST-FEEDING AS AN IMPORTANT VARIABLE. (My emphasis, not shouting)

Ta Da!!  Seems I remember reading about this on Lactnet recently.  Timely
study!
Martha Brower RD LD IBCLC (queen library snoop)

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