Table 3

Distribution of breast milk iron (mg/l) and lactoferrin (mg/ml) on day 1, 14 weeks and 6 months in non-anemic (group A) and anemic mothers (group B)

Breast Milk
Mothers
Day 1
p value*
14 weeks#
p value
6 months**


Mean ± SD

Mean ± SD

Mean ± SD

Iron (mg/l)
Group A
0.89 ± 0.13
<0.01
0.34 ± 0.04
<0.01
0.26 ± 0.04

Group B
0.86 ± 0.14
<0.01
0.33 ± 0.05
<0.01
0.27 ± 0.04
Lactoferrin (mg/ml) (n = 13)
Group A
12.02 ± 2.58
<0.01
5.84 ± 1.47
0.98
5.85 ± 1.09

Group B
12.91 ± 2.83
<0.01
6.68 ± 1.17
0.53
6.37 ± 1.33

All values are mean ± SD.

* Comparison within each group between day 1 and 14 weeks.

† Comparison within each group between 14 weeks and 6 months.

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

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

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