Biochemical Thiamine Deficiency in Exclusively Breastfed Infants from an Endemic Region in Northern India: A Population-Based Cross Sectional Study

Background The widespread consumption of polished rice as a staple food in many parts of India increases the risk of thiamine deficiency. Additionally, few cultural dietary practices among lactating women further predispose them to this deficiency. This population based Cross-Sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of biochemical thiamine deficiency among exclusively breastfed infants whose mothers were on customary dietary restrictions compared to age-matched controls. Methods The study participants consisted of two groups namely “Exposure group” and “Control group”. The desired demographic, socioeconomic, dietary and clinical information were noted. The thiamine status was assessed using blood thiamine diphosphate (TDP) estimation. Results Exposure group and control group comprised of 335 and 293 exclusively breastfed infants and their mothers, respectively. Exposure group mothers significantly belonged to lower socioeconomic classes and had lower education levels. The mean TDP level in infants was significantly lower in the Exposure group (99.3 ± 33 nmol/L) compared to the Control group (119 ± 35 nmol/L). At a cut-off value of 90 nmol/L, the prevalence of thiamine deficiency in the Exposure group infants was 35.8% (120/335) and 18.8% (55/293) in the control group infants. Conclusion We found Customary dietary restrictions commonly associated with lower socioeconomic status and lower maternal education levels. Biochemical thiamine deficiency was high in both groups, it was significantly higher in the Exposure group infants compared to the Control group infants.