World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

ENSURING NORMAL IRON LEVELS IN BREAST MILK OF PREGNANT WOMEN BY PERSONALIZED IRON SUPPLEMENTATION TREATMENT

*Dr. Abeer Hashim Abdul-Majeed, Dr. Bushra Abd Al-Hassin Hochem, Dr. Kawther Yahia Saeed

ABSTRACT

Since the characteristics of all body fluids depends on patient’s health status, it is possible that disadvantaged and socially vulnerable mothers may have lower amounts of iron in their breast milk, and that their babies receive lower content of the mineral for their normal growth and development. Assuring a preventive treatment of the mother might solve this problem. This study aimed to demonstrate breast milk iron content from disadvantaged mothers and the effect of personalized iron supplementation program. In the current cross-sectional study, breast milk samples were obtained for ferritin analysis. Health services usually provide free folic acid and iron treatment however, treatment compliance is low. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: “A: Controls” who had free iron tablets available from the health centre; and “B: Intervention” group where patients accepted to be periodically contacted at home by a health team for personalized iron dispensation. In our study, 200 patients were included. Prophylaxis and treatment compliance were 100% and 96% for B group, while for the control was 61% and 37% (p=0.005). Higher breast milk iron levels were detected in the Intervention’s mothers compared with control patients (p<0.05). It can be concluded that personalized iron prophylaxis and treatment increased breast milk iron levels. Public health policy must ensure iron dispensation for each under-served mother in order to reduce children problems associated to iron deficiency during the first year of their life.

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