Determining the Actual Zinc and Iron Intakes in Breastfed Infants: Protocol for a Longitudinal Observational Study

Oraporn Dumrongwongsiri; Pattanee Winichagoon; Nalinee Chongviriyaphan; Umaporn Suthutvoravut; Veit Grote; Berthold Koletzko

doi:10.2196/19119

Determining the Actual Zinc and Iron Intakes in Breastfed Infants: Protocol for a Longitudinal Observational Study

JMIR Res Protoc. 2020 Nov 6;9(11):e19119. doi: 10.2196/19119.

Authors

Oraporn Dumrongwongsiri^#^{1

2}, Pattanee Winichagoon³, Nalinee Chongviriyaphan², Umaporn Suthutvoravut², Veit Grote⁴, Berthold Koletzko⁴

Affiliations

¹ Center for International Health, Lugwig-Maximilians-Universitaet Munich, Munich, Germany.
² Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
³ Community/International Nutrition, Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
⁴ Department of Pediatrics, Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, University Hospital, Lugwig-Maximilians-Universitaet Munich, Munich, Germany.

^# Contributed equally.

PMID: 33155573
PMCID: PMC7679214
DOI: 10.2196/19119

Abstract

Background: Zinc and iron deficiencies among breastfed infants during the first 6 months of life have been reported in previous studies. The amounts of zinc and iron intakes from breast milk are factors that contribute to the zinc and iron status of breastfed infants.

Objective: This study aims to quantitatively determine zinc and iron intakes by breastfed infants during the first 4 months of life and to investigate the factors that predict zinc and iron status in breastfed infants.

Methods: Pregnant women at 28 to 34 weeks of gestation were enrolled. Zinc and iron status during pregnancy was assessed. At delivery, cord blood was analyzed for zinc and iron levels. Participants and their babies were followed at 2 and 4 months postpartum. Maternal dietary intakes and anthropometric measurements were performed. The amount of breast milk intake was assessed using the deuterium oxide dose-to-mother technique. Breast milk samples were collected for determination of zinc and iron levels. The amount of zinc and iron consumed by infants was calculated. Zinc and iron status was determined in mothers and infants at 4 months postpartum.

Results: A total of 120 pregnant women were enrolled, and 80 mother-infant pairs completed the study (56 provided full breastfeeding, and 24 provided breast milk with infant formula). All data are being managed and cleaned. Statistical analysis will be done.

Conclusions: This study will provide information on zinc and iron intakes in exclusively breastfed infants during the first 4 months of life and explore predictive factors and the possible association of zinc and iron intakes with infant growth and nutrient status.

International registered report identifier (irrid): DERR1-10.2196/19119.

Keywords: baby; breastfeeding; deuterium oxide dose-to-mother technique; diet; growth; infant; iron; iron deficiency; prediction; protocol; women; zinc; zinc deficiency.

©Oraporn Dumrongwongsiri, Pattanee Winichagoon, Nalinee Chongviriyaphan, Umaporn Suthutvoravut, Veit Grote, Berthold Koletzko. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (http://www.researchprotocols.org), 06.11.2020.