Analysis: A new study has found 4 in 5 pregnant women in Ireland are iron deficient by the third trimester
Did you know that women need nearly ten times more iron during pregnancy? A research study conducted at the INFANT Research Centre and School of Food and Nutritional Sciences at University College Cork (UCC) reveals that four out of five pregnant women in Ireland are iron deficient by the third trimester, raising serious concerns about maternal and child health.
Iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency worldwide, and it’s associated with a higher risk of complications for both mother and baby. These include long-term effects on the child’s brain development, impacting cognition, behaviour, and motor skills.
While iron deficiency is often associated with low-resource settings, this study shows that it is alarmingly common among pregnant women in Ireland, a well-resourced country. More than 80% of the women in this study were iron deficient by the third trimester, despite being generally healthy and low-risk.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland, UCC's Dr Elaine McCarthy on new research showing 4 in 5 pregnant women in Ireland are iron deficient
The study, which involved 641 healthy first-time mothers, is the largest of its kind globally and was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. We tracked participants' iron levels throughout pregnancy, taking blood samples at 15, 20, and 33 weeks of gestation. Interestingly, none of the women were anemic in the first trimester, but iron deficiency rates surged by the third trimester. Notably, nearly 75% of participants were already taking iron-containing supplements that met the Irish and European recommended daily allowance of 15-17mg.
Lack of routine screening
Routine screening for iron deficiency during pregnancy is uncommon in Ireland and further afield, but this research calls for an urgent change. Early screening is essential to identify women at risk of iron deficiency, allowing for timely intervention to prevent complications and improve outcomes for both mother and baby.
The data strongly supports introducing routine screening for iron deficiency in early pregnancy. Addressing nutritional deficiencies has always been a cornerstone of good medical practice, and it’s time for iron deficiency to receive the attention it deserves.
From BBC Forces of Nature with Brian Cox, Why is iron in our blood important?
What are the risks?
The long-term impact of iron deficiency during pregnancy is significant. Previous research from UCC has shown that iron deficiency in early life is linked to behavioural problems in children as young as five. Given these potential risks, early detection and intervention are key. Proper management of iron levels during pregnancy can help mitigate the risk of neurodevelopmental challenges in children, benefiting families for years to come.
What can pregnant women do?
With iron needs increasing nearly tenfold during pregnancy, expectant mothers are urged to focus on increasing the amount of iron in their diets. Iron is found in different foods including red meats like beef and lamb, green leafy vegetables, beans, nuts and dried fruit. However, heme iron from animal sources is more easily absorbed than the non-heme iron found in plant-based sources, therefore, a wide-range of iron-rich foods from both sources is important, when possible.
Follow RTÉ Brainstorm on WhatsApp and Instagram for more stories and updates
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
