Maternal Iron Homeostasis and Neonatal Outcomes
Summary
Iron is indispensable for erythropoiesis, cellular respiration and neurodevelopment, making its regulation during pregnancy a critical determinant of maternal health and offspring well-being. Maternal iron homeostasis adapts through expanded plasma volume, increased intestinal absorption and modulation of iron-regulatory hormones to meet the demands of both mother and fetus. The placenta functions as a selective gatekeeper, coordinating iron transfer via specialised transporters and receptors to balance maternal stores with foetal requirements. Insufficient iron availability can lead to maternal anaemia, preterm birth, low birth weight and impaired neurocognitive development in neonates. Conversely, excessive iron supplementation may provoke oxidative stress, inflammation and placental dysfunction. Consequently, optimal timing and dosing of iron interventions have global significance for reducing perinatal morbidity, particularly in settings where both deficiency and overload coexist. Advances in understanding regulatory pathways now enable more refined screening and personalised supplementation strategies, pointing towards improved neonatal iron status and long-term developmental outcomes.
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Maternal Iron Homeostasis and Neonatal Outcomes publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in maternal iron homeostasis and neonatal outcomes across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Hepcidin: A liver-derived peptide hormone that controls systemic iron levels by regulating intestinal absorption and macrophage iron release.
Ferritin: An intracellular protein complex that stores iron in a bioavailable and non-toxic form, reflecting body iron reserves.
Transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1): A cell-surface receptor that mediates uptake of transferrin-bound iron into placental and other cells.
Ferroptosis: An iron-dependent form of regulated cell death characterised by lipid peroxidation and oxidative membrane damage.
References
- Iron Homeostasis During Pregnancy: Maternal, Placental, and Fetal Regulatory Mechanisms. Annual Review of Nutrition (2023).
- Obesogenic diet in pregnancy disrupts placental iron handling and ferroptosis and stress signalling in association with fetal growth alterations. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences (2024).
- Multiple Infections, Nutrient Deficiencies, and Inflammation as Determinants of Anemia and Iron Status during Pregnancy: The MINDI Cohort. Nutrients (2024).
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