Iron plays a critical role in fetal development, particularly in the formation of the brain and nervous system. Emerging research continues to highlight how maternal iron status early in pregnancy influences infant iron stores and developmental outcomes later in childhood.
Research Highlight
A recently published prospective maternal-infant cohort study provides new insight into how iron status during pregnancy may shape early neurodevelopment. The 2026 prospective cohort study published in The Journal of Nutrition examined the relationship between maternal iron status in early pregnancy, neonatal iron stores, and child neurodevelopment at two years of age.
Methodology
Researchers measured maternal ferritin levels at 15 and 20 weeks of gestation, assessed newborn iron status through cord blood ferritin, and evaluated neurodevelopment at age two using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID-III).
Key Findings
- Maternal iron deficiency was common, with ferritin levels below 30 µg/L observed in nearly 1 in 5 women at 15 weeks, rising to over 40% by 20 weeks of pregnancy.
- Infants born to mothers with iron deficiency had cord ferritin levels approximately 42 µg/L lower, indicating reduced iron stores at birth.
- At two years of age, children whose mothers had low ferritin in early pregnancy showed lower language and motor development scores compared with children of iron-sufficient mothers.
Conclusion
The researchers concluded that even non-anemic maternal iron deficiency early in pregnancy was associated with both lower neonatal iron status and differences in neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Why This Matters in Clinical Practice
Iron plays several essential roles in early brain development, including:
- Myelination of nerve fibres
- Neurotransmitter synthesis
- Oxygen delivery to developing brain tissue
When iron availability is limited during critical developmental windows, these processes may be affected.
This research reinforces an important clinical consideration: iron status during pregnancy influences not only maternal health but also infant iron stores and early childhood development.
Support Early Iron Status for Pregnancy & Infants
For practitioners supporting maternal and pediatric nutrition, this evidence highlights the importance of:
- Assessing iron status during pregnancy, especially at term
- Encouraging adequate dietary iron intake during pregnancy, a prenatal supplement may not be adequate
- Supporting healthy iron status in infants and young children as their growth demands increase, an infant’s brain grows to 80% of adult size by age two
Because infant iron stores partly reflect maternal iron status during pregnancy, early nutritional support plays a key role in protecting infant iron status during the first year of life.
Practice Pearls
- Iron deficiency can occur without anemia, particularly in pregnancy
- Maternal iron status during pregnancy contributes to newborn iron stores at birth
- Infants born with lower iron stores may reach iron depletion earlier in infancy
- Early identification of iron insufficiency allows practitioners to support nutrition and supplementation strategies when needed
- Monitoring iron intake and status during infancy and toddlerhood remains an important part of pediatric nutritional care
Supporting iron status across the maternal-infant continuum helps ensure children have the nutritional foundation needed for healthy growth and neurodevelopment.
BioFe® Ensures Treatment Compliance
We have heard from our Practitioners that they know patients are not taking the prescribed iron supplements because their iron levels are not increasing. Overcoming taste and sensory aversion, and common side effects, including constipation, stomach upset and stained teeth, are the greatest challenges for treatment compliance. If patients are not taking their iron supplements, their iron levels will never improve. BioFe® provides a great-tasting iron with no metallic taste that is available in multiple formats, from infant drops, tiny chewable tablets and liquids in various doses, providing flexible supplementation options for patients.
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BioFe® Liquid Iron Sachets are Perfect for Pregnant Women
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