Iron Status in Newborns Born to Iron-Deficient Mothers

Background: Iron deficiency anemia is one of the important problems during pregnancy.  Iron deficiency has several adverse effects on pregnant women and their newborns. Objective: To determine the status of iron store in newborns born to mothers with iron deficiency anemia. Methods: 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 non-anemic iron deficiency (NIDA) with an Hb of ³11 g/dl and SF of <10 ng/ml; and those mothers with normal Hb and iron status, defined as an Hb ³11 g/dl and a SF ³10 ng/ml, who were treated as normal control.  Then cord bloods of the newborn were compared among the three groups. Results:  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.