The effect of universal maternal antenatal iron supplementation on neurodevelopment in offspring: a systematic review and meta-analysis
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 neurodevelopmen...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Pediatrics |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12887-018-1118-7 |
| _version_ | 1811286624936394752 |
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| author | C. Jayasinghe R. Polson H. C. van Woerden P. Wilson |
| author_facet | C. Jayasinghe R. Polson H. C. van Woerden P. Wilson |
| author_sort | C. Jayasinghe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T03:03:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-91328851fddc4745afac5a14f5318767 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2431 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T03:03:17Z |
| publishDate | 2018-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Pediatrics |
| spelling | doaj.art-91328851fddc4745afac5a14f53187672022-12-22T03:05:21ZengBMCBMC Pediatrics1471-24312018-05-011811910.1186/s12887-018-1118-7The effect of universal maternal antenatal iron supplementation on neurodevelopment in offspring: a systematic review and meta-analysisC. Jayasinghe0R. Polson1H. C. van Woerden2P. Wilson3Ministry of Health, 385, Ven. Baddegama Wimalawansa Thero MawathaCentre for Health Science, University of the Highland and IslandsCentre for Health Science, University of the Highland and IslandsCentre for Rural Health, University of AberdeenAbstract 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.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12887-018-1118-7Iron supplementationAntenatalOffspringNeurodevelopmentIron deficiency anaemia |
| spellingShingle | C. Jayasinghe R. Polson H. C. van Woerden P. Wilson The effect of universal maternal antenatal iron supplementation on neurodevelopment in offspring: a systematic review and meta-analysis BMC Pediatrics Iron supplementation Antenatal Offspring Neurodevelopment Iron deficiency anaemia |
| title | The effect of universal maternal antenatal iron supplementation on neurodevelopment in offspring: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full | The effect of universal maternal antenatal iron supplementation on neurodevelopment in offspring: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | The effect of universal maternal antenatal iron supplementation on neurodevelopment in offspring: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effect of universal maternal antenatal iron supplementation on neurodevelopment in offspring: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_short | The effect of universal maternal antenatal iron supplementation on neurodevelopment in offspring: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_sort | effect of universal maternal antenatal iron supplementation on neurodevelopment in offspring a systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | Iron supplementation Antenatal Offspring Neurodevelopment Iron deficiency anaemia |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12887-018-1118-7 |
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