Overview

• A study published in BJOG confirms that anaemia in the first 100 days of pregnancy increases the odds of congenital heart disease (CHD) in newborns by 47%.
• Researchers analysed anonymised GP records from over 16,500 mothers in the UK between 1998 and 2020, identifying a significant correlation between early maternal anaemia and CHD.
• Congenital heart disease, affecting 13 babies daily in the UK, is a leading cause of infant mortality, with maternal anaemia estimated to account for 5% of cases.
• Experts are now investigating whether widespread iron supplementation before and during pregnancy could serve as a preventive measure against CHD.
• The findings underscore the importance of early screening and nutritional interventions, as nearly a quarter of UK pregnant women and over a third globally experience anaemia.