Iron pills may cause more harm to foetus than good

Expectant mothers should not unnecessarily pop iron pills unless anaemic, as it may cause their baby to be born smaller, warn researchers at Tarbiat Modares University in Tehran.

London, May 31 : Expectant mothers should not unnecessarily pop iron pills unless anaemic, as it may cause their baby to be born smaller, warn researchers at Tarbiat Modares University in Tehran.

The doctors say that pregnant women may develop high blood pressure due to extra iron, which may in turn lead to her baby being born smaller.

As against the age-old suggestion that expectant mothers should take iron supplements, the Food Standards Agency has now recommended that it is better that women fulfil the requirement of the mineral from a balanced diet rather than tablets.

Published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the study examined 727 women who had normal levels of iron in their blood.

The researchers observed that many pregnant women who were consuming iron supplements were more likely to develop high blood pressure, and to have a baby that was small for its gestational age.

"Anaemia in women is often associated with low birth weight and pre-term births but that does not mean women should be popping iron pills, or any vitamin pills indiscriminately, to prevent poor pregnancy outcomes," the Daily Mail quoted Professor Philip Steer, the journal's editor-in-chief, as saying.

"Women should ensure that they receive proper advice on diet and nutrition from their doctors," he added.

Previous studies have shown that stress hormones may affect foetal brain development, and a children's future behaviour. The scientists say that the effects of stress being suffered by an expectant mother may get transmitted to her unborn child as early as 17 weeks.

Lead researchers-Professor Vivette Glover at Imperial College London and Dr Pampa Sarkar of Wexham Park Hospital in Berkshire-took samples of blood and amniotic fluid from 267 pregnant women. The levels of the stress hormone cortisol were found in both samples.

Previous studies have already shown that babies exposed to high levels of the hormone in the womb had lower IQs at 18 months than other children of the same age. It also doubles the risk of hyperactivity and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children by the age of four.

"We do not wish to unduly worry pregnant women. It should be remembered that one of the best ways for people to avoid general stress is to lead a healthy, balanced lifestyle," said Dr. Sarkar.

ANI