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Published on: August 7, 2017
Anaemia and Maternal Iron Intakes in Pregnancy and Child Asthma: An Observational Analysis From a Longitudinal Cohort
Emma Hokey1, Sophie Callanan1, Anna Delahunt1
1UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital Dublin 2 Dublin Ireland.
Insights
Maternal anemia and low iron intake during pregnancy did not increase the risk of childhood asthma in this study. Researchers found no association between low hemoglobin levels or dietary iron and asthma development in children.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- The link between maternal anemia and low iron intake during pregnancy and childhood asthma risk is not well-established.
- Previous research suggests a potential association, but conclusive evidence is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between maternal hemoglobin levels or anemia in late pregnancy and childhood asthma risk.
- To examine the relationship between maternal dietary iron intake during pregnancy and the risk of childhood asthma.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study involving 474 mother-child dyads from the ROLO trial.
- Maternal hemoglobin and dietary iron intake were assessed in pregnancy.
- Childhood asthma was reported at ages 5 and 9-11 years.
- Multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyze the associations.
Main Results:
- Maternal anemia was present in 21% of women, with median iron intake below recommendations.
- Childhood asthma prevalence was 7% at age 5 and 7.7% at ages 9-11.
- No significant association was found between maternal hemoglobin levels or anemia and childhood asthma.
- No significant association was found between maternal dietary iron intake and childhood asthma.
Conclusions:
- Maternal anemia and low dietary iron intake during pregnancy are not associated with an increased risk of childhood asthma.
- These findings suggest that iron status during pregnancy may not be a significant factor in childhood asthma development.
Background And Aims:
Evidence supporting the association between anaemia and lower iron intakes during pregnancy with an increased risk of childhood asthma remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether (i) lower haemoglobin or anaemia in late pregnancy and (ii) lower mean dietary iron intake in pregnancy were associated with a higher risk of childhood asthma. We hypothesised that lower maternal haemoglobin concentrations or anaemia, and lower mean dietary iron intakes, during pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of childhood asthma.
Methods:
This is a longitudinal study of mother-child dyads (n = 474) who participated in the ROLO (Randomised cOntrol trial of a LOw glycaemic index diet in pregnancy to prevent macrosomia) trial between 2007 and 2022. Healthy women were recruited in early pregnancy and randomised to receive low glycaemic index dietary advice or routine care. Haemoglobin concentrations were measured in late pregnancy and anaemia was defined as < 11 g/dL. Maternal iron intakes were estimated from 3-day food diaries during pregnancy. Mothers reported whether their children had current doctor-diagnosed asthma at 5 and 9-11 years of age. Multivariable logistic regression models examined the associations of haemoglobin concentrations or anaemia in late pregnancy, and mean dietary iron intakes during pregnancy, with asthma outcomes.
Results:
In late pregnancy, the median (IQR) haemoglobin concentration was 11.7 (11.0, 12.2) g/dL and 21% (n = 95) of women were anaemic. The median (IQR) dietary iron intake in pregnancy was lower than recommended at 10.9 (9.3, 13.1) mg/day. The prevalence of current-doctor diagnosed asthma at 5 and 9-11 years of age was 7% and 7.7%, respectively. Maternal haemoglobin concentrations or anaemia in late pregnancy, and mean maternal dietary iron intakes during pregnancy, were not associated with childhood asthma at either age.
Conclusion:
Maternal anaemia and low dietary iron intake were not associated with childhood asthma in this longitudinal study.
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