Iron status in newborns born to Iron - deficient mothers

ABSTRACT

Iron deficiency anemia is one of the important problems during pregnancy. Iron deficiency has several adverse effects on pregnant women and their newborns. To determine the status of iron store in newborns born to mothers with iron deficiency anemia. In a cross-sectional study, 90 mothers were categorized into three groups according to their pre-delivery hemoglobin and serum ferritin concentrations. Those with Iron-Deficiency Anemia [IDA] were defined as a hemoglobin concentration [Hb] <11 g/dl and serum ferritin concentration [SF] of <10 ng/ml; those with nonanemic iron deficiency [NIDA] with an Hb of 11 g/dl and SF of <10 ng/ml; and those mothers with normal Hb and iron status, defined as an Hb 11 g/dl and a SF 10 ng/ml, who were treated as normal control. Then cord bloods of the newborn were compared among the three groups. Significant differences were found in mean Hb [p<0.01] and SF [p<0.03] among normal control and IDA, with the lowest values found in neonates born to mothers with iron deficiency anemia. Conclusions: Contrary to previous beliefs, the iron status of mothers can influence their babies