Prevalence of infant and maternal anemia during the lactation period in Japan

Abstract

Background The perinatal period is associated with a high risk of infant anemia. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of infant and maternal anemia during the late lactation period and the risk factors for anemia in Japan. Methods This retrospective cohort study was based on data from health checkups of healthy infants at 6–7 and 9–10 months of age and their mothers who visited Akitsu Children's Clinic between September 2013 and August 2015. Complete blood count data from infant blood samples obtained at 6–7 months and 9–10 months and from maternal blood samples obtained at 6–7 months, information on feeding methods, and other related parameters were analyzed. Results Data from 388 mother–infant pairs were analyzed. The prevalence of infant anemia was 21.1% at 6–7 months and 29.1% at 9–10 months. The prevalence of anemia in exclusively breast‐fed infants was 28.4% at 6–7 months and 40.0% at 9–10 months. The risk factors for infant anemia at 9–10 months were exclusive breast‐feeding, lower gestational age at birth, male sex, and high weight gain. The prevalence of maternal anemia was 10.5%. There was no correlation between infant and maternal hemoglobin in exclusively breast‐fed infants. Conclusions Japanese infants who were breast‐fed exclusively had a high prevalence of anemia. A nationwide strategy to prevent anemia is required to prevent infant anemia, even in a nutrition‐rich country such as Japan.

Complementary feeding patterns of Filipino infants and toddlers lack diversity, especially among children from poor households

“…An extensive study examining Filipino infant and child feeding (6–23 months of age) in urban areas reported that children who are breastfed were more likely to be anaemic or iron deficient after 6 months of age than those receiving fortified foods [ 7 ]. This is similar to results reported in other countries including India, China and Japan [ 22 – 24 ]. Fortified young child beverages provide a source of iron among Filipino infants (6–11.9mo) and toddlers (12–23.9mo), respectively [ 5 ].…”

Complementary feeding patterns of Filipino infants and toddlers lack diversity, especially among children from poor households

“…An extensive study examining Filipino infant and child feeding (6-23 months of age) in urban areas reported that children who are breastfed were more likely to be anaemic or iron de cient after 6 months of age than those receiving forti ed foods [7]. This is similar to results reported in other countries including India, China and Japan [22][23][24]. Forti ed young child beverages provide a source of iron among Filipino infants (6-11.9mo) and toddlers (12-23.9mo), respectively [5].…”

A Retrospective Case-Control Study of the Determinants of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Infants in an Urban Community in Shanghai, China Between 2010–2015

“…A domestic survey of nutritional conditions in China in 2013 showed that infants aged 5 months to 1 year had the highest prevalence rate of IDA, with the IDA prevalence rate in male infants 38.3% and that in female infants being 34.7% [ 1 ]. In 2019, a study in Japan reported by Amano et al showed that male infants were more likely to develop IDA than female infants [ 15 ]. However, in 2019, in Iran, Riahi et al reported no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of IDA between male and female infants [ 16 ].…”