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Screening umbilical cord blood for congenital Iron deficiency

Brianna C MacQueen1, Robert D Christensen2, Vickie L Baer3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.

Blood Cells, Molecules & Diseases
|April 22, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Maternal obesity increases the risk of congenital iron deficiency in at-risk neonates, including small for gestational age infants (SGA) and infants of diabetic mothers (IDM). Elevated hepcidin in obese mothers may hinder iron transfer to the fetus.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Health
  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Infants born small for gestational age (SGA), infants of diabetic mothers (IDM), and very low birth weight (VLBW) infants are susceptible to congenital iron deficiency.
  • Understanding the causes of congenital iron deficiency in these high-risk neonates is crucial for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the iron status of SGA, IDM, and VLBW neonates at birth.
  • To investigate potential mechanisms underlying congenital iron deficiency in these infants.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study design.
  • Assessment of neonatal iron status at birth and at two weeks postpartum.
  • Maternal iron studies were conducted if congenital iron deficiency was identified in neonates.

Main Results:

  • Sixteen out of 180 screened neonates presented with iron deficiency at birth.
  • Mothers of iron-deficient neonates exhibited higher Body Mass Index (BMI) and, in some cases, mild iron deficiency and measurable hepcidin levels.
  • Neonatal iron measurements showed improvement by two weeks of age.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal obesity is identified as a significant risk factor for congenital iron deficiency in SGA, IDM, and VLBW neonates.
  • Elevated maternal hepcidin levels in obese pregnant women are hypothesized to impede fetal iron absorption and transplacental iron transfer.
Abstract

Keywords:
CongenitalIron deficiencyNewborn

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