Longitudinal Associations Between Maternal Anemia and Breastfeeding Practices on Infant Hemoglobin Levels in the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

BACKGROUND

Anemia is a chronic condition that disproportionately affects women and children. Anemia shows detrimental long-term impacts on maternal and child health and development, with the highest burden observed in low- and middle-income countries. In the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR), anemia is prevalent in 39% of women of reproductive age, 47% of pregnant women, and 43% of children under five.

OBJECTIVE

Our study evaluates associations between maternal anemia at pregnancy and postpartum and infant hemoglobin (Hb) levels in early infancy. We further investigate the influence of breastfeeding practices on this association.

METHODS

Data from the Social Transfers for Exclusive Breastfeeding ongoing randomized control trial (RCT) ( = 298) in Vientiane, Lao PDR, was used. Maternal and infant Hb levels were assessed during pregnancy and at one, six, and twelve months postpartum. We used generalized estimating equations (GEE) for repeated measures analysis.

RESULTS

Anemic mothers at pregnancy and postpartum saw a 1.89 g/L (adjusted 95% CI: -4.48 to 0.70, = 0.15) and 3.25 g/L (adjusted 95% CI: -7.86 to 1.36, = 0.17) decrease in infant Hb levels compared to non-anemic mothers. Among postpartum anemic mothers who followed the World Health Organization (WHO) breastfeeding recommendations, an increase of 7.87 g/L in infant Hb levels (adjusted 95% CI: -2.21 to 17.94, 0.13) was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

A weak negative association was found between maternal anemia during pregnancy and the first year postpartum and infant Hb levels. However, among anemic mothers at postpartum, adhering to WHO breastfeeding recommendations may help to mitigate this impact.