Anemia During Pregnancy Linked to Higher Risk of Heart Condition in Child

New Delhi: A recent UK study suggests that being anemic during pregnancy could increase the risk of a child being born with a heart condition by 47%. Anemia, or iron deficiency, is reportedly common among individuals with congenital heart disease, which involves heart defects present at birth that affect the organ’s function.

According to Duncan B. Sparrow from the University of Oxford, the study’s corresponding author, these findings enhance our understanding of anemia. Sparrow believes that recognizing the damaging effects of early maternal anemia could revolutionize healthcare practices globally.

The study, featured in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, analyzed the health records of women who became pregnant between January 1998 and October 2020. The researchers examined over 2,700 women who had children diagnosed with heart problems at birth, comparing them to 13,880 women whose children did not have such conditions. Hemoglobin levels were measured within the first 100 days of pregnancy, following guidelines from the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

The authors noted that this is the first study in a UK population to demonstrate a link between maternal anemia in early pregnancy and congenital heart disease (CHD) in offspring, revealing a 47% higher likelihood of CHD in the child.

A 2021 study in Nature Communications had previously identified anemia in pregnant mice as a previously unknown risk factor for heart defects in their offspring.

Researchers have noted that while the effects of anemia in mid-to-late pregnancy on fetal development are well-documented, including low birth weight, the evidence linking anemia during pregnancy to congenital heart disease in children has been inconsistent. This recent study focused on the correlation between anemia in early pregnancy and the risk of congenital heart conditions.

Sparrow suggests that widespread iron supplementation for women, both when trying to conceive and during pregnancy, could prevent congenital heart disease in many newborns, as iron deficiency is a primary cause of many anemia cases.

The health records used in the analysis were sourced from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink GOLD database.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional for personalized guidance and treatment.