Effect of Maternal Anaemia on Different Macronutrients of Breast Milk in the Rural Population of India: An Observational Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Anaemia during pregnancy is a major public health problem throughout the world, particularly the developing countries. Maternal anaemia affects the major macronutrients contents of breast milk. Aim: To analyse the major nutrients and components of transitional milk in anaemic mothers and healthy non anaemic mothers. Materials and Methods: This was an observational crosssectional study conducted from January 2018 to June 2019 for a period of 18 months, included 180 lactating mothers who were divided into two groups: Anaemic {Haemoglobin (Hb) <11 gm/dL} and Non anaemic (Hb >11 gm/dL) based on their antenatal haemoglobin status. Anaemic group patients were further subdivided according to severity as recommended by the Indian Council of Medical Research. Breast milk samples (15-20 mL) were collected from postpartum patients on day 4 to 14. The sample was collected in the morning 1 hour after the previous breastfeeding and instilled into a milk analyser and compared the following major components (fat, lactose, protein) in both the groups. The data was coded in Microsoft excel sheet and was analysed by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0 software. Analysis of the component of transitional milk was done. Results: There were 90 cases in each group, with total 180 lactating mothers. The mean age of the anaemic group was 26.18±2.89 and non anaemic group was 26.03±3.43 (p-value= 0.792) were statistically similar. The mean parity of both the group (p-value=0.039) were significant. Study shows that anaemia grossly affects the protein and lactose content of the breast milk but there is no significant change in fat content. In severe anaemia, there was significant difference present in all the 3 components, fat, protein, and lactose (p-value=0.012, p-value=0.051, p-value=0.001 respectively). Conclusion: Maternal anaemia particularly of severe type adversely affects all the macronutrients of breast milk in terms of protein, fat, and lactose.