Multiple Indicators of Undernutrition, Infection, and Inflammation in Lactating Women Are Associated with Maternal Iron Status and Infant Anthropometry in Panama: The MINDI Cohort

Maternal infections, nutrient deficiencies, and inflammation (MINDI) co-exist in lactating indigenous women in Panama, but their impact on maternal iron status and infant growth is unknown. For this secondary analysis of cross-sectional data of lactating mothers from our MINDI cohort, we investigated associations of MINDI variables with maternal anemia, elevated serum transferrin receptor (sTfR), low serum iron, hepcidin, ferritin, and infant weight-for-age (WAZ), length-for-age (LAZ), and head-circumference-for-age (HCAZ) Z-scores in 99 mother-infant dyads. A bootstrapping resampling procedure preselected covariates for inclusion in multivariable regressions models from chronic maternal infections and nutritional status [folate, vitamins A, D, retinol-binding protein (RBP), insulin-growth factor-1 (IGF-1)] and inflammation [C-reactive protein (CRP), cytokines, platelet indices] indicators. Anemia was prevalent (53.5%) but underestimated due to widespread low plasma volume (<2.2 L, 79.9%) and was associated with indicators of malnutrition [lower IGF-1, body mass index (BMI), vitamin D, and intake of green/leafy vegetables], but not inflammation. Higher CRP was associated with lower serum iron, and higher hepcidin and ferritin, whereas maternal platelets were associated with lower HCAZ (beta = -0.22), WAZ (beta = -0.17), and LAZ (beta = -0.17). Higher LAZ was also associated with maternal serum vitamin D (beta = 0.23), whereas maternal iron supplementation lowered LAZ (beta = -0.22). Assessment of iron status in this MINDI cohort is complex and supplementation strategies must consider consequences for both the mother and the infant.

Automated summary

The coexistence of maternal infections, nutrient deficiencies, and inflammation in lactating indigenous women in Panama may have an impact on maternal iron status and infant growth. Prevalent anemia was associated with indicators of malnutrition, while inflammation was related to lower serum iron levels. Maternal platelet levels were associated with lower infant growth, and higher length-for-age was associated with maternal serum vitamin D.