Impact of multiple prenatal risk factors on newborn iron status at delivery.

Background: Maternal anemia and several complications of pregnancy can affect fetal iron acquisition.Aim: Because it is unknown whether the effects of demographic and maternal risk factors (RF) are summative, we examined cord iron status in newborns with multiple RF for acquiring iron deficiency.Methods: Cord blood indices from healthy control newborns with and without RF for newborn or infant iron deficiency were studied.Results: Newborns with greater RF had poorer erythrocyte and storage iron status. Poorest status was seen if mothers with comorbid obesity and diabetes delivered large-for-gestation newborns. Findings highlight the importance of identifying RF.