Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes
08:45

Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes

Published on: May 10, 2022

Maternal iron intake and iron status during pregnancy and child blood pressure at age 3 years

Mandy B Belfort1, Sheryl L Rifas-Shiman, Janet W Rich-Edwards

  • 1Division of Newborn Medicine, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA. mandy.belfort@childrens.harvard.edu

International Journal of Epidemiology
|February 12, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Maternal iron intake during pregnancy did not correlate with lower child blood pressure. Higher first trimester iron intake was unexpectedly linked to a slight increase in child systolic blood pressure at age 3.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Maternal iron deficiency during pregnancy is common and linked to adverse birth outcomes like low birth weight.
  • Animal studies suggest maternal iron deficiency may elevate offspring blood pressure.
  • Human data on the impact of maternal iron status on offspring blood pressure are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between maternal iron intake, hemoglobin levels, and mean cell volume (MCV) during pregnancy and child systolic blood pressure (SBP) at age 3.
  • To examine if lower maternal iron status during pregnancy is linked to higher offspring blood pressure.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal cohort study (Project Viva) with 1167 pregnant women and their children.
  • Maternal iron intake estimated via food frequency questionnaires in the first and second trimesters.
  • Child blood pressure measured up to five times using a Dinamap; mixed-effects regression models used for analysis.

Main Results:

  • Mean child SBP at 3 years was 92.0 (9.9) mmHg.
  • A 10 mg increase in first trimester iron intake was associated with a 0.4 mmHg higher child SBP (95% CI 0.1, 0.7), after adjusting for confounders.
  • No significant association found between second trimester iron intake, or first/second trimester hemoglobin or MCV levels, and 3-year SBP.

Conclusions:

  • Contrary to animal data, this study found no evidence that lower maternal iron status during pregnancy is associated with higher offspring blood pressure.
  • Increased first trimester iron intake showed a slight, non-protective association with higher child systolic blood pressure at age 3.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Concurrent Collection of Fetal Murine Brain and Serum to Assess Effects of Maternal Diet on Nutrition and Neurodevelopment in Neurofibromatosis Type 105:44

Concurrent Collection of Fetal Murine Brain and Serum to Assess Effects of Maternal Diet on Nutrition and Neurodevelopment in Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Published on: May 17, 2024

Modifying Levels of Maternal Dietary Folic Acid or Choline to Study the Impact of Deficiencies on Offspring Health Outcomes03:19

Modifying Levels of Maternal Dietary Folic Acid or Choline to Study the Impact of Deficiencies on Offspring Health Outcomes

Published on: June 28, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Environmental Influences on Intelligence01:29

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children from...
Factors affecting Blood pressure01:28

Factors affecting Blood pressure

Several physiological and lifestyle factors influence blood pressure (BP). Understanding these factors is crucial as they are significant in patient education and blood pressure management.
Physiological Factors:
Hormonal Regulation01:33

Hormonal Regulation

The renin-aldosterone system is an endocrine system which guides the renal absorption of water and electrolytes, thus managing blood pressure and osmoregulation. Activation of the system begins in the kidneys with a small cluster of cells adjacent to the afferent and efferent blood vessels of the renal corpuscle. As the nephrons are filtering blood, juxtaglomerular cells monitor blood pressure. If they detect a decrease in pressure, they release the hormone renin into the bloodstream.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.