Is Iron Supplementation In Health Centers Until the End of the Breastfeeding Period Necessary?

How to Cite:Rahbar N, Karami K, Ghorbani R, Is Iron Supplementation In Health Centers Until the End of the Breastfeeding Period Necessary?.koomesh.2024;26(2):e150078.https://doi.org/10.69107/koomesh-150078.

Abstract

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) and anemia are significant health problems affecting women after childbirth in developing and developed countries. These conditions can negatively impact a woman's quality of life, both bodily and psychological. Current guidelines in Iran, as outlined in the Ministry of Health's comprehensive nutrition guide for pregnant and lactating mothers, recommend iron supplementation for lactating women for only three months postpartum.

Objectives: This research seeks to determine if extending this supplementation program offered at health centers to two years after delivery (the entire breastfeeding period) would be beneficial.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 177 women, 3 to 24 months after delivery, who had been referred to one of the health centers, clinics, or offices of Semnan, Iran for postpartum care from 2021 to 2022. Complete blood count (CBC) and serum ferritin levels were measured for all participants. Hemoglobin less than 12 g/dL was defined as anemia, ferritin less than 20 µg/L as ID, and both hemoglobin less than 12 g/dL and serum ferritin less than 20 µg/L were defined as iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Test results and individual characteristics of the women were collected through a questionnaire.

Results: Anemia affected 23.2% of the women, while 14.7% experienced iron deficiency (ID), and 7.9% suffered from iron deficiency anemia (IDA). The duration of breastfeeding (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01 - 1.18, P = 0.040) and regular/irregular intake of iron supplements during pregnancy (OR = 10.46, 95% CI: 3.44 - 31.84, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with ID. Additionally, gravidity (OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.01 - 2.67, P = 0.049), and regular/irregular intake of iron supplements during pregnancy (OR = 5.26, 95% CI: 1.40 - 19.76, P = 0.014) showed significant relationships with IDA.

Conclusions: The results indicate a notable prevalence of anemia, ID, and IDA during the breastfeeding phase in Semnan. Given that both ID and IDA are preventable conditions, it's crucial to focus on vulnerable groups, including women with higher parity, extended breastfeeding duration, and irregular iron intake during pregnancy. Consequently, providing targeted support and receiving adequate iron supplementation until the end of the breastfeeding period, can help mitigate the risk of ID and IDA, along with their associated complications.

Keywords

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Author(s):

Nahid Rahbar:[PubMed][Scholar]
Kiana Karami:[PubMed][Scholar]
Raheb Ghorbani:[PubMed][Scholar]