The Influence of Maternal Iron-deficiency Anaemia on the Haemoglobin of the Infant

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Abstract
The possible influence of maternal iron-deficiency anemia on the infant was considered in the newborn infant and at 3 months of age, before dietary effects are likely to have influenced the infant''s iron nutrition. Selected mothers (White and Cape Coloured) were divided into two groups one consisting of women whose mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration values were 27% or less at term and the other, whose values were 31% or more. The infants of these mothers were investigated. It was found that there was no significant difference of mean hemoglobin level in the infants, during the first 24 hours of life or at 3 months of age, born to either the anemic or non-anemic mothers.