Maternal iron intake at mid-pregnancy is associated with reduced fetal growth: Results from Mothers and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) study

Ji Yun Hwang, Ji Yeon Lee, Ki Nam Kim, Hyesook Kim, Eun Hee Ha, Hyesook Park, Mina Ha, Yangho Kim, Yun Chul Hong, Namsoo Chang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Iron supplementation is a common recommendation for pregnant women to prevent iron deficiency during pregnancy. There is an increasing concern about excessive iron consumption as a general iron prophylaxis by pregnant women without any due consideration about their dietary iron intake or iron status. Our present study investigated the association between total iron intake from diet and supplements and fetal growth in 337 pregnant women at mid-pregnancy in South Korea. Methods. Iron intake from diet and supplements was examined by a 24-hour recall method. Subjects were divided into three groups based on tertiles of total iron intake levels. Fetal biometry was assessed by ultrasonography at mid-pregnancy. Results: About 99% of the non-supplement users had iron intake below the recommended nutrient intake (RNI) for pregnant women (24 mg), whereas 64.9% of supplement users had iron intake above the upper level (UL) (45 mg). In the babies of mothers in the third tertile of iron intake (>17.04 mg), biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference, and femur length were lower by 0.41 cm (P =0.019), 0.41 cm (P = 0.027), and 0.07 cm (P = 0.051), respectively, than the babies of mothers in the second tertile of iron intake (11.49 ∼ 17.04 mg). Conclusion: These results suggest that excessive maternal iron intake at mid-pregnancy is associated with reduced fetal growth. Iron supplementation for pregnant women should be individualized according to their iron status. Appropriate diet education is needed for pregnant women so that they can consume adequate amounts of iron from food and supplements.

Original languageEnglish
Article number38
JournalNutrition Journal
Volume12
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study was supported by Mothers and Children’s Environmental Health (MOCHE) Project for the Ministry of Environment and by the second stage of Brain Korea 21 project in 2010.

Keywords

  • Diet
  • Growth
  • Iron
  • MOCHE study
  • Pregnancy

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