Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40432643›Full record

ArticleCureus2025

Comparative Prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Exclusively Breastfed Versus Exclusively Cow Milk-Fed Infants: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Faiza Gul, Srichand Mulakalapalli, Nida Gul, Ghulam Ishaq, Komal Ali, Ayaz Ali, Nadia Khan, Shah Faisal, Khayam, Mamoona

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Article in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

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0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Faiza GulPediatrics, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, Peshawar, PAK.
Srichand MulakalapalliPediatrics, Dr. Pinnamaneni Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences, Vijayawada, IND.
Nida GulMedicine, Medical Teaching Institution (MTI) Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, PAK.
Ghulam IshaqPediatrics, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, Peshawar, PAK.
Komal AliPediatrics, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, Peshawar, PAK.
Ayaz AliInternal Medicine, Medical Teaching Institution (MTI) Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, PAK.
Nadia KhanInternal Medicine, Medical Teaching Institution (MTI) Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, PAK.
Shah FaisalMedicine, Medical Teaching Institution (MTI) Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, PAK.
KhayamInternal Medicine, Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar, PAK.
MamoonaPediatrics, Women Medical and Dental College Abbottabad, Peshawar, PAK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionAnemia has long been a major public health issue worldwide and continues to be the most common type of micronutrient deficiency. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) represents a major health challenge during infancy and early childhood. Children in Pakistan suffering from IDA often experience stunted growth, cognitive delays, and decreased physical activity. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2024 to February 2025 in the Pediatric Department of Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, to assess the prevalence of IDA in term infants up to 12 months of age who were either breastfed or fed cow's milk. Using non-probability purposive sampling, 340 eligible infants visiting the outpatient department or admitted to the pediatrics ward were included. Infants with hemoglobin <9.5 g/dL and mean corpuscular volume <70 fL were labeled as having IDA. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained prior to data collection.

results​In our study of 340 infants (mean age: 3.71 ± 1.84 months), 127 (37.4%) were diagnosed with IDA. A significant association was found between exclusive cow's milk feeding and IDA (p < 0.001), with 92 (72.44%) of IDA cases occurring in cow's milk-fed infants. No significant link was observed between the frequency of pediatric check-ups and IDA prevalence. Additionally, parental confidence in understanding their infant's nutritional needs was significantly related to IDA occurrence (p = 0.05).

conclusionThe study's findings indicate a significant association between exclusive cow's milk feeding and the development of IDA in infants, underscoring the importance of appropriate infant feeding practices. No significant link was observed between the frequency of pediatric check-ups and IDA prevalence. Additionally, parental confidence in understanding their infant's nutritional needs was significantly related to IDA occurrence. These results highlight the need for targeted nutritional education for parents to prevent IDA in infants.

Indexed as

cross-sectional studyexclusively breast milk feedexclusively cow milk feedinfantsiron deficiency anemia (ida)

Identifiers

PMID40432643
PMCPMC12107016

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