Iron deficiency during pregnancy 'causes brain injury in babies'RSS Feed

An iron deficiency in early pregnancy could lead to brain injury in infants, research has indicated.

Brain development in children could be affected in the long-term by their mother's lack of iron, according to a University of Rochester study published in the journal PLoS One.

It is believed that 35 to 58 per cent of all healthy women have an iron deficiency to some extent, with one in five suffering from iron-deficient anaemia.

Study collaborator Monique Ho said that the study suggested routine monitoring of iron deficiency should be instigated before pregnancy.

"Prenatal care usually involves the recommendation of a multivitamin that contains iron, which is usually prescribed after pregnancy is confirmed or at the first prenatal visit. But not all women have access to prenatal care, and not all women can take the supplements in early pregnancy due to vomiting," she explained.

Iron deficiency anaemia comes about when the body does not have enough iron to produce red blood cells, making the sufferer feel tired and lethargic.

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Posted by Matthew Dixon
 

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