Maternal Anaemia Linked to Smaller Infant Brain Volume, Study Finds

Infants born to mothers with anaemia show smaller overall brain volumes, with notable reductions in areas responsible for movement, learning, and emotional regulation, according to a study published in the journal Brain Communications. The research indicates these neurological differences, first identified at one year of age, persist into childhood and may lead to cognitive difficulties when children enter school.

The study was conducted by researchers from King’s College London and the University of Cape Town, who tracked over 300 mothers and their infants in Cape Town, South Africa. Brain scans were conducted on the infants at multiple intervals between three months and two years of age using both traditional high-field MRI scanners and novel, portable low-field MRI machines.

Impact on Brain Structure and Growth

The findings revealed that babies born to mothers with even mild anaemia had an average total brain volume 4% smaller than those born to non-anaemic mothers. Specific reductions were identified in three key brain regions: the putamen, caudate nucleus, and corpus callosum. First author Jessica Ringshaw, a researcher at King’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience and the University of Cape Town, noted that these regions govern critical neuropsychological functions such as processing speed, emotion regulation, and executive function.

Researchers observed that the structural differences widened as the children grew. For instance, the volume of the corpus callosum was roughly 4% smaller at 12 months in infants of anaemic mothers, expanding to a 6% difference by 24 months. Ringshaw explained that prior research in South Africa demonstrated these brain volume differences remain present through six years of age, indicating that affected children do not naturally catch up over time.

Socioeconomic and Public Health Context

More than one-third of pregnant women globally suffer from anaemia, a condition characterized by lower-than-normal red blood cell levels, primarily caused by iron deficiency. Common symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, and dizziness, with the highest prevalence recorded in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The study controlled for background variables, with participating mothers displaying similar levels of household income and food security, strengthening the link between maternal anaemia and infant brain development.

Because anaemia can stem from complex factors including infectious diseases—with higher rates observed among women living with HIV—researchers emphasized the need for comprehensive healthcare strategies. Ringshaw recommended routine screening for iron deficiency and anaemia during pregnancy, alongside the use of oral or intravenous iron supplements and appropriate infection control.

Advances in Low-Cost Brain Imaging

The study also validated the effectiveness of lower-cost, portable MRI technology. Comparing standard hospital scanners with low-field portable alternatives, researchers found the newer machines were sensitive enough to detect the same brain differences in infants. Steve Williams, professor of neuroimaging at King’s College London, stated that the technology enables early, scalable assessments of brain development and planned health interventions in challenging environments.