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Improving iron status by delayed umbilical cord clamping eliminates the risk of higher blood lead levels associated with breastfeeding among 6‐mo‐old Mexican infants
Author(s) -
Dewey K G,
Chaparro C M,
Neufeld L M,
Tena G,
EguiaLiz R,
Fornes R
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.4.a5-a
Subject(s) - medicine , umbilical cord , breastfeeding , iron status , lead poisoning , iron deficiency , breast milk , cord blood , obstetrics , randomized controlled trial , physiology , pediatrics , surgery , anemia , immunology , chemistry , biochemistry , psychiatry
Lead in breast milk may increase the risk of elevated blood lead levels among breastfed infants. Iron deficiency increases the risk of lead poisoning, presumably because of up‐regulation of iron absorption, which also increases lead absorption. We conducted a randomized controlled trial (n=476) to determine whether delayed umbilical cord clamping (DC; 2 min after delivery) affects the iron status of term, normal birth weight infants at 6 mo of age in Mexico City. Venous blood samples from the mother and placenta at delivery, and from the infant at 6 mo, were analyzed for indices of iron status and lead concentration. Infants who were fully breastfed until 6 mo (FBF; no infant formula or iron‐fortified milk) had higher blood lead levels at 6 mo than those who were partially breastfed or weaned by 6 mo (PBF), but only if the umbilical cord had been clamped early (EC; 10 sec after delivery) (p=0.01 for interaction). The percentage with elevated blood lead (> 8 ug/dL) was: 18% FBF/EC, 0% FBF/DC, 3% PBF/EC, 4% PBF/DC. The differences were largely attributable to improved iron status in the DC group. We conclude that delayed cord clamping protects breastfed infants from postnatal exposure to lead in breast milk by improving their iron status and thereby reducing lead absorption. Support provided by the Thrasher Research Fund and U.S. Fulbright.