Concurrent micronutrient deficiencies in lactating mothers and their infants in Indonesia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Deficiencies of vitamin A, iron, and zinc are prevalent worldwide, affecting vulnerable groups such as lactating women and infants. However, the existence of concurrent deficiencies has received little attention.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim was to investigate the extent to which deficiencies of vitamin A, iron, and zinc coexist and the nutritional relation between lactating mothers and their infants.

DESIGN:

In a cross-sectional survey in rural West Java, Indonesia, 155 lactating mothers and their healthy infants were assessed anthropometrically and blood, urine, and breast-milk samples were obtained.

RESULTS:

Marginal vitamin A deficiency was found in 54% of the infants and 18% of the mothers. More than 50% of the mothers and infants were anemic and 17% of the infants and 25% of the mothers were zinc deficient. There was a strong interrelation between the micronutrient status of the mothers and infants and the concentrations of retinol and beta-carotene in breast milk. Vitamin A deficiency in infants led to an increased risk of anemia and zinc deficiency (odds ratios: 2.5 and 2.9, respectively), whereas in mothers the risk of anemia and iron deficiency (odds ratios: 3.8 and 4.8, respectively) increased. In infants, concentrations of insulin-like growth factor I were related to concentrations of plasma retinol and beta-carotene but not to zinc.

CONCLUSIONS:

Micronutrient deficiencies were prevalent in West Java. The micronutrient status of lactating mothers and that of their infants were closely related; breast milk was a key connecting factor for vitamin A status. Furthermore, concurrent micronutrient deficiencies appeared to be the norm.

• Authors: M A Dijkhuizen, F T Wieringa, C E West, Muherdiyantiningsih, Muhilal
• Journal: The American journal of clinical nutrition (Am J Clin Nutr) Vol. 73 Issue 4 Pg. 786-91 (Apr 2001) ISSN: 0002-9165 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11273854 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Micronutrients
• beta Carotene
• Vitamin A
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
• Iron
• Zinc

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Anemia, Iron-Deficiency (epidemiology)
• Anthropometry
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Female
• Humans
• Indonesia (epidemiology)
• Infant
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (analysis)
• Iron (analysis)
• Iron Deficiencies
• Lactation (blood, physiology)
• Male
• Micronutrients (deficiency)
• Milk, Human (chemistry)
• Odds Ratio
• Prevalence
• Vitamin A (analysis)
• Vitamin A Deficiency (epidemiology)
• Zinc (analysis, deficiency)
• beta Carotene (analysis)