The Benefits and Risks of Iron Supplementation in Pregnancy and Childhood

Iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency in the world and disproportionately affects pregnant women and young children. Iron deficiency has negative effects on pregnancy outcomes in women and on immune function and neurodevelopment in children. Iron supplementation programs have b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annual review of nutrition 2019-08, Vol.39 (1), p.121-146
Main Authors: Georgieff, Michael K, Krebs, Nancy F, Cusick, Sarah E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
infancy
iron
malaria
neurodevelopment
pregnancy
supplementation
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Summary:Iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency in the world and disproportionately affects pregnant women and young children. Iron deficiency has negative effects on pregnancy outcomes in women and on immune function and neurodevelopment in children. Iron supplementation programs have been successful in reducing this health burden. However, iron supplementation of iron-sufficient individuals is likely not necessary and may carry health risks for iron-sufficient and potentially some iron-deficient populations. This review considers the physiology of iron as a nutrient and how this physiology informs decision-making about weighing the benefits and risks of iron supplementation in iron-deficient, iron-sufficient, and iron-overloaded pregnant women and children.
ISSN:0199-9885
1545-4312
DOI:10.1146/annurev-nutr-082018-124213