[Maternal iron and folate deficiencies. Effects on the newborn infant]

Three studies of materno-fetal iron and folate status are analyzed. Repercussions of maternal iron and folate deficiencies on neonates are investigated. The incidence of iron deficiency is high during pregnancy and increases in multiparous and alien women. Although no correlation was found between mothers' and neonates' ferritinemia, maternal iron deficiency was shown to influence fetal hemoglobin synthesis and iron stores. Folate deficiency in mothers had no obvious incidence on hematological parameters in neonates. However it does influence gestation duration and therefore birthweight.