The influence of maternal iron deficiency anaemia on the haemoglobin concentration of the infant

Abstract

Summary: Serum ferritin, iron, and haemoglobin (Hb) values of 27 pregnant women who did not receive oral iron therapy during pregnancy, and Hb of their normal full-term babies were determined. Maternal blood samples were obtained at 16 and 34 weeks of pregnancy and infants' blood samples were obtained at the first day and 3 months of life. Mothers were divided into two groups according to their serum ferritin values. By analysing the results we were not able to detect any correlation between maternal ferritin, Hb and newborn gestational age, and Hb and birth weight. The same was found when the groups were compared by a maternal serum ferritin above and below 12 ng/ml. © 1995 Oxford University Press.