Maternal Iron Status in Pregnancy and Child Health Outcomes after Birth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

In pregnancy, iron deficiency and overload increase the risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, but effects of maternal status on long-term child health are poorly understood. The aim study was to systematically review analyze literature in outcomes offspring after birth. We report a systematic during relation birth, from database inception until 21 January 2021, with methodological quality rating (Newcastle-Ottawa tool) random-effect meta-analysis. (PROSPERO, CRD42020162202). search identified 8139 studies, which 44 were included, describing 12,7849 mother–child pairs. Heterogeneity amongst studies strong. Methodological predominantly moderate high. Iron measured usually late pregnancy. majority compared categories based ferritin, however, definitions differed across studies. follow-up period limited infancy. Fifteen reported or hemoglobin, 20 neurodevelopmental remainder variety other outcomes. half low associated children. Meta-analyses showed an association ferritin soluble transferrin receptor concentrations, though saturation, hemoglobin values no consistent association. Studies above normal, excess, suggest deleterious infant growth, cognition, childhood Type 1 diabetes. Maternal not consistently very heterogeneous set suggests detrimental deficiency, possibly also overload, including neurodevelopment. needed determine clinically meaningful