Jakarta, ThedailyID — Anemia during pregnancy may be more than a common health concern. A new study found a link between maternal anemia and differences in brain development among babies.
Babies born to mothers with anemia had an average total brain volume 4 percent smaller than babies born to mothers without anemia.
Researchers from King’s College London and the University of Cape Town conducted the study. It involved more than 300 mothers and babies in Cape Town, South Africa.
The researchers scanned the babies’ brains several times. The scans covered the period from three months after birth to two years of age.
The differences appeared in three brain regions, the putamen, caudate nucleus, and corpus callosum. These areas support functions such as movement, information processing, emotional regulation, and executive function.
Researcher Jessica Ringshaw said the differences did not necessarily disappear as the children grew.
In the corpus callosum, for example, the difference measured about 4 percent at 12 months. It increased to around 6 percent by 24 months.
“These children are not catching up as the differences in the brain slowly disappear,” Ringshaw said, as quoted by The Guardian.
The findings have raised concerns because these brain regions support several abilities during childhood. They include information processing and emotional regulation.
Ringshaw also said differences in brain development remained visible at around age six. At that stage, children begin school and develop more complex cognitive abilities.
However, the study does not mean every baby born to a mother with anemia will develop problems. The researchers found an association between maternal anemia and differences in brain volume.
Many other factors can influence child development. Therefore, each child’s development still needs individual assessment.
Anemia affects a significant number of pregnant women worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, more than one-third of pregnant women globally experience anemia.
Iron deficiency commonly causes anemia. The body needs iron to produce enough hemoglobin to transport oxygen through the blood.
Symptoms can include fatigue, shortness of breath, and dizziness. During pregnancy, the body also needs more iron to support fetal growth and increased blood volume.
The study found similar socioeconomic conditions among mothers with and without anemia. Household income and food security, for example, were relatively similar between the groups.
Researchers also found higher anemia rates among women living with HIV. This suggests that anemia can have multiple causes, including infections and other health conditions.
