Prenatal Iron Deficiency, Neonatal Ferritin, and Infant Cognitive Function

Abstract

To investigate the impact of prenatal maternal iron deficiency (ID) on cord blood serum ferritin (CBSF) concentration and infant cognitive and motor development. METHODS:Our prospective cohort study included 636 mother-singleton child pairs from 828 eligible pregnant women who were enrolled during their first antenatal care (ANC) visit in Allada, Benin, into a clinical trial comparing the efficacy of mefloquine and sulfadoxinepyrimethamine. Venous blood samples of women were assessed for ferritin and hemoglobin concentrations at the first and second ANC visits (occurring at least 1-month apart) and at delivery. Women were prescribed daily iron and folic acid supplements throughout pregnancy. Hematologic examinations were repeated for cord blood at birth. At age 1 year, cognitive and motor functions of children were assessed by using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning. RESULTS:The prevalence of prenatal ID at first and second ANC visits, and at delivery was 30.5%, 34.0%, and 28.4%, respectively. CBSF concentrations were similar between ID and non-ID pregnant women. Neither prenatal ID nor CBSF concentration was associated with poor cognitive or gross motor function of children at age 1 year. CBSF concentrations were lower among mothers who had ID anemia (IDA) at delivery compared with non-IDA pregnant women (adjusted mean difference: -0.2 [95% confidence interval: -0.4 to -0.0]). CONCLUSIONS:In a malaria-endemic region, ID in pregnancy in the context of iron supplementation is neither associated with CBSF concentration nor with infant cognitive and motor development. Prenatal IDA around the time of delivery is associated with lower CBSF concentrations.

Redefining normal hemoglobin and anemia in singleton and twin pregnancies

“…Iron deficiency was the most common cause of anemia, accounting for 85% of all positive workup results among singleton pregnancies and for 80% among twin pregnancies. Previous studies found a lower incidence of IDA, with IDA affecting approximately one‐third of all pregnancies . The higher incidence in the present study could be explained by the fact that most participants were multiparous and of Ashkenazi Jewish ethnicity, with relatively short interpregnancy intervals.…”

“…Previous studies found a lower incidence of IDA, with IDA affecting approximately onethird of all pregnancies. [18][19][20] The higher incidence in the present study could be explained by the fact that most participants were multiparous and of Ashkenazi Jewish ethnicity, with relatively short interpregnancy intervals. In this population, alpha and beta thalassemia are rare, and because of their high parity, most women consume folate supplements on a routine basis in preparation for pregnancy.…”

UK guidelines on the management of iron deficiency in pregnancy

“…Despite this, studies have found that maternal iron deficiency at delivery is associated with lower serum ferritin in cord blood of neonates (Shao et al , ; Mireku et al , ), suggesting that the prioritisation of fetal iron supply must be compromised at some point. Shao et al () found that cord iron levels were reduced when mothers had serum ferritin levels below 13 µg/l.…”

The impact of iron deficiency correction in pregnant women on the perinatal period and children’s health status

“…В состоянии острой асфиксии родились по 4 ребенка в 1-й (2,9%) и 2-й (2,4%) группах (р>0,05). По данным метаанализа, гестационная анемия повышает риск перинатальной асфиксии в 3,57 раза (95% ДИ 1,53-8,29), снижает оценку по шкале Апгар (<7 баллов) на 1-й минуте в 2,11 раза (95% ДИ 1,12-3,96), на 5-й минуте - [20,21]. Похожие результаты получены в исследовании А.В.…”