Iron deficiency during the first 1,000 days of life: are we doing enough to protect the developing brain?

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dc.contributor.authorMcCarthy, Elaine K.
dc.contributor.authorMurray, Deirdre M.
dc.contributor.authorKiely, Mairead E.
dc.date.accessioned2021-10-18T10:20:08Z
dc.date.available2021-10-18T10:20:08Z
dc.date.issued2021-09-22
dc.date.updated2021-10-18T09:33:47Z
dc.description.abstractIron is essential for the functioning of all cells and organs, most critically for the developing brain in the fundamental neuronal processes of myelination, energy and neurotransmitter metabolism. Iron deficiency, especially in the first 1,000 days of life, can result in longlasting, irreversible deficits in cognition, motor function and behaviour. Pregnant women, infants and young children are most vulnerable to iron deficiency, due to their high requirements to support growth and development, coupled with a frequently inadequate dietary supply. An unrecognised problem is that even if iron intake is adequate, common pregnancy-related and lifestyle factors can affect maternal-fetal iron supply in utero, resulting in an increased risk of deficiency for the mother and her fetus. While preterm birth, gestational diabetes mellitus and intrauterine growth restriction are known risk factors, more recent evidence suggests that maternal obesity and delivery by Caesarean section further increase the risk of iron deficiency in the newborn infant, which can persist into early childhood. Despite the considerable threat that early-life iron deficiency poses to long-term neurological development, life chances and a countryĆ¢ s overall social and economic progress, strategies to tackle the issue are non-existent, too limited or totally inappropriate. Prevention strategies, focused on improving the health and nutritional status of women of reproductive age are required. Delayed cord clamping should be considered a priority. Better screening strategies to enable the early detection of iron deficiency during pregnancy and early-life should be prioritised, with intervention strategies to protect maternal health and the developing brain.en
dc.description.statusPeer revieweden
dc.description.versionAccepted Versionen
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.citationMcCarthy, E. K., Murray, D. M. and Kiely, M. E. (2021) 'Iron deficiency during the first 1,000 days of life: are we doing enough to protect the developing brain?', Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. doi: 10.1017/S0029665121002858en
dc.identifier.doi10.1017/S0029665121002858en
dc.identifier.eissn1475-2719
dc.identifier.issn0029-6651
dc.identifier.journaltitleProceedings of the Nutrition Societyen
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10468/12107
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherCambridge University Pressen
dc.rightsĀ© 2021, the Authors. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Nutrition Society. This material is free to view and download for personal use only. Not for re-distribution, re-sale or use in derivative works.en
dc.subjectIronen
dc.subjectMicronutrient deficiencyen
dc.subjectBrain developmenten
dc.subjectMalnutritionen
dc.subjectMaternal obesityen
dc.subjectCaesarean sectionen
dc.titleIron deficiency during the first 1,000 days of life: are we doing enough to protect the developing brain?en
dc.typeArticle (peer-reviewed)en
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