Babies born to mothers experiencing anaemia during pregnancy have smaller brains, particularly in key regions associated with movement, learning, and emotional regulation, according to a new study. Researchers noted that these differences, first identified in infants at one year old, could potentially lead to cognitive challenges as children approach school age.

Anaemia affects over a third of pregnant women globally, with iron deficiency being a common cause, leading to a lower-than-normal red blood cell count. Symptoms can include fatigue, shortness of breath, and dizziness, with the highest prevalence observed in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

The study, conducted by researchers from King's College London and the University of Cape Town, followed over 300 mothers and their infants in Cape Town. The infants' brains were scanned multiple times between three months and two years of age. Even when mothers were diagnosed with only mild anaemia, the average total brain volume in their babies was found to be 4% lower compared to babies of non-anaemic mothers.

Specific areas of the brain showing these differences included the putamen, caudate nucleus, and corpus callosum. Jessica Ringshaw, the study's lead author and a researcher at King's Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) and the University of Cape Town, explained that these regions are crucial for neuropsychological functions such as processing speed, emotion regulation, and executive function.

Over the first two years of life, the observed brain volume differences appeared to widen. For example, the corpus callosum was approximately 4% smaller in infants of anaemic mothers at 12 months, a gap that increased to 6% by 24 months.

Previous research conducted in South Africa on toddlers and school-aged children has reported similar variations in brain volume, suggesting a potentially lasting impact of prenatal anaemia.

The findings highlight the importance of addressing anaemia in pregnant women, particularly in regions where it is highly prevalent. Further research may be needed to fully understand the long-term implications for cognitive development and to explore effective interventions.

While the study focused on mild anaemia, the observed effects underscore the vulnerability of fetal brain development to maternal nutritional status. The researchers emphasized that these findings could inform public health strategies aimed at improving maternal health and child outcomes.