Prenatal iron supplementation adjusted to maternal iron stores reduces behavioural problems in 4‐year‐old children

• DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13595
• Publication Date: 2023-12-02T19:26:41Z
• Authors: Lucía Iglesias‐Vá...; Josefa Canals; Carmen Hernández‐...; Núria Voltas; Victoria Arija
• Keywords: Iron supplementation

Abstract Prenatal iron supplementation improves children's health and cognitive performance, but few studies explore behavioural development. This study assessed the effects of adjusting prenatal to maternal stores during early pregnancy on problems. Randomized controlled trial conducted in Tarragona (Spain) involving 230 nonanaemic pregnant women their children after a 4‐year follow‐up. Based haemoglobin (Hb) levels before gestational week (GW) 12, receive different doses: those with Hb = 110–130 g/L were randomized 80 or 40 mg/day > 130 20 mg/day. Maternal at GW12 classified using serum ferritin (SF) as low (SF < 15 µg/L), normal 15–65 normal‐high 65 µg/L). Children's behaviour was by parents Child Behaviour Checklist for ages 1.5–5 years Rating Inventory Executive Function‐Preschool Version, teachers Teacher's Report Form years. Multivariable regression models performed. Taking improved child when had worsened it mothers normal–high stores, except depressive attention/hyperactivity only whose SF µg/L pregnancy. Additionally, executive functioning high doses baseline µg/L. Adjusting both reduces problems 4‐year‐old children.