Prenatal Iron Deficiency, Neonatal Ferritin, and Infant Cognitive Function.
Study Goal
To investigate the impact of prenatal maternal iron deficiency on cord blood serum ferritin concentration and infant cognitive and motor development.
Results Summary
Prenatal iron deficiency was not associated with cord blood serum ferritin concentration or infant cognitive and motor development at age 1 year, but iron deficiency anemia at delivery was linked to lower cord blood serum ferritin levels.
Population
Pregnant women and their singleton children in a malaria-endemic region of Benin.
Effective Dosage
Daily iron and folic acid supplements (specific dosage not mentioned).
Duration
Throughout pregnancy.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
daily iron and folic acid supplements | neutral | - | pregnant women | - | prescribed | #1 |
prenatal maternal iron deficiency | no change | CBSF concentration | pregnant women | similar | was not associated with | #2 |
prenatal maternal iron deficiency | no change | poor cognitive function | children at age 1 year | - | was not associated with | #3 |
prenatal maternal iron deficiency | no change | poor gross motor function | children at age 1 year | - | was not associated with | #4 |
CBSF concentration | no change | poor cognitive function | children at age 1 year | - | was not associated with | #5 |
CBSF concentration | no change | poor gross motor function | children at age 1 year | - | was not associated with | #6 |
prenatal ID anemia at delivery | decrease | CBSF concentrations | mothers | -0.2 [95% confidence interval: -0.4 to -0.0] | was associated with | #7 |
ID in pregnancy in the context of iron supplementation | no change | CBSF concentration | mothers in a malaria-endemic region | - | is neither associated with | #8 |
ID in pregnancy in the context of iron supplementation | no change | infant cognitive and motor development | infants in a malaria-endemic region | - | is neither associated with | #9 |
Prenatal IDA around the time of delivery | decrease | CBSF concentrations | mothers | lower | is associated with | #10 |
OBJECTIVE: 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 sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. 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.