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Meta-Analysis
. 2018 May 4;18(1):150.
doi: 10.1186/s12887-018-1118-7.

The effect of universal maternal antenatal iron supplementation on neurodevelopment in offspring: a systematic review and meta-analysis

C Jayasinghe  1 , R Polson  2 , H C van Woerden  2 , P Wilson  3
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

The effect of universal maternal antenatal iron supplementation on neurodevelopment in offspring: a systematic review and meta-analysis

C Jayasinghe et al. BMC Pediatr. .

Abstract

Background: Although antenatal iron supplementation is beneficial to mothers, its impact on the neurodevelopment of offspring is controversial. A systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken to assess whether routine maternal antenatal iron supplementation confers later neurodevelopmental benefit to offspring.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched using MESH terms or key words and identified papers were reviewed by two independent reviewers. The study quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. The review was registered in the PROSPERO CRD data base.

Results: Seven publications were identified, based on four randomised trials published between 2006 and 2016. Three of the trials were in the Asian sub-continent. A range of tools were used to evaluate neurodevelopment. Meta-analysis of outcomes from the three RCTs meeting our inclusion criteria showed minimal effect of antenatal iron supplementation on the neurodevelopment of offspring, which was not statistically significant: weighted mean difference of 0.54 (95% CI: -0.67 to 1.75); test for overall effect Z = 0.87; p = 0.38; and heterogeneity 48%. Meta-analysis of outcomes of these RCTs at later stages of development produced similar results.

Conclusions: The benefit of routine antenatal iron supplementation on neurodevelopment in offspring was not statistically significant in this relatively limited set of trials, and some benefit cannot be excluded in areas with a high prevalence of maternal anaemia. A large randomized controlled trial showing significant benefit would be required to modify our conclusions.

Keywords: Antenatal; Iron deficiency anaemia; Iron supplementation; Neurodevelopment; Offspring.

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Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA Flow diagram for identified studies
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Risk of Bias Assessment
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Forest plot of three RCTs included in a meta-analysis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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