Milk Feeding Methods and the Changes of Serum Lactate Level in Infants with Iron Deficiency Anemia

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Infants undergo critical and rapid stages of growth. Optimal nutrition during this period is therefore essential. Iron deficiency is especially impotant and common. The aim of this study was to determine the present status and problems of milk feeding methods in infants with iron deficiency anemia and, futhermore, to develop appropriate feeding guidelines for adequate iron nutrition. Latate is the end product of the anaerobic metabolism of glucose. Also we studied the changes of serum lactate level in this patients and calculated correlations between serum lactate level and diagnostic parameters of iron deficiency anemia. METHODS: We studied 42 children with iron deficiency anemia who visited Wonkwang university hospital from February 1995 to July 1996. We analyzed the type and duration of milk feeding method. And we measured serum lacate level and diagnostic parameters of iron deficiency anemia. RESULTS: The mean age was 17.0 months and male to female ratio was 71. On the analysis of milk feeding methods the breast feeding, the cow's milk, the mixed feeding were 73.8%, 11.9%, 14.3% respectively. The breast feeding group distributed mainly from 6 month to 18 month and 1 patient showed prolonged breast feeding until 48 month. We checked serum lactate level in 22 subjects. The mean serum lactate level was increased than normal adult level but there were no significant correlation between serum lactate level and diagnostic parameters of iron deficiency anemia (Hb, Hct, MCV, MCH, MCHC, serum iron, TIBC, ferritin). CONCLUSION: The most common problem of milk feeding method in infants with iron deficiency anemia was prolonged breast feeding and some infants fed excessive cow's milk. We need correct and proper education about merits and disadvantages of breast and cow's milk feeding to mothers. The mean serum lactate level in children with iron deficiency anemia was increased but serum lacate level can't use a diagnostic parameter of iron deficiency anemia.