Table 2

Distribution of mean haemoglobin (Hb), serum iron (SI), total iron binding capacity (TIBC), percent transferrin saturation (%TS) and serum ferritin of babies in cord blood, 14 weeks and 6 months after delivery


Group
Cord blood
p value*
14 weeks#
p value
6 months**

Hb (g/dl)
A
17.4 ± 1.6
<0.01
12.5 ± 0.6
0.01
11.5 ± 0.5

B
16.6 ± 1.8
<0.01
11.6 ± 0.9
0.05
11.2 ± 0.5
SI (μg/dl)
A
139.8 ± 28.8
<0.01
88.3 ± 12.2
<0.01
70.8 ± 7.2

B
144.2 ± 36.5
<0.01
82.5 ± 13.1
<0.01
65.70 ± 9.0
TIBC (μg/dl)
A
271.0 ± 46.8
<0.01
308.8 ± 36.8
0.08
321.3 ± 34.1

B
281.0 ± 49.2
<0.01
307.2 ± 37.4
<0.01
333.8 ± 29.3
%TS
A
57.0 ± 10.8
<0.01
28.9 ± 4.0
<0.01
22.3 ± 3.1

B
56.7 ± 11.4
<0.01
27.5 ± 6.0
<0.01
19.8 ± 2.8
Serum ferritin (ng/ml)
A
132.8 ± 15.2
<0.01
54.6 ± 9.7
<0.01
17.8 ± 6.5

B
133.6 ± 9.0
<0.01
55.0 ± 8.5
<0.01
17.7 ± 6.4

All values are mean ± SD.

# n = 68 (Group A), n = 61 (Group B).

**n = 52 (Group A), n = 50 (Group B).

*p value within each group between day 1 and 14 weeks.

p value within each group between 14 weeks and 6 months.

Raj et al. International Breastfeeding Journal 2008 3:3   doi:10.1186/1746-4358-3-3