British Nursing News Nursing Agencies List - The No.1 Online Directory for Nursing Agencies
  WWW.BNN-ONLINE.CO.UK     Thursday, 28 March 2024 
Search stories for:
Sample search for:

Thursday, 27 October 2005 11:50
BNN: British Nursing News Online · www.bnn-online.co.uk
Pregnant women warned of iron risks
An Australian study has found that women who take iron supplements during pregnancy could be putting their unborn child at risk of developing behavioural problems.

Iron supplements are commonly used by pregnant women because carrying a baby can cause the body’s natural iron levels to fall. However, a study of more than 400 women by the University of Adelaide found a “statistically significant difference” in the number of children born with problems.

The researchers were attempting to confirm whether iron supplements prevented anaemia, which they did, They also looked into whether children born to women who used iron supplements had a higher IQ, as previous studies have suggested.

At the start of the study, the 430 participants all had normal iron levels. Half of the women then took 20mg daily supplements throughout their pregnancy.

When tested at four years of age, the children whose mothers had taken the supplements had no IQ advantage over the others.

However, the team found a significant difference in problems such as hyperactivity and social interaction when the mothers completed questionnaires about their children’s behaviour.

Maria Makrides, who led the research, said it wasn’t clear what role the iron played in affecting this outcome and added that the number of children with problems was small.

"We don't want to over-interpret our finding but, on the other hand, we don't want to sweep it under the carpet," said Dr Makrides.

It is thought that too much iron can overload the liver and make it difficult for oxygen to pass through the placenta, affecting neuronal functioning.


Sponsored by The Nursing Portal
Add your own comments on this story - currently inactive due to spamming
Your name
(Optional):
Your email address
(Optional):
Your comments:
back to previous page

Home   Top   Disclaimer    Site Credits

Nursing Jobs | Just for Nurses | Nursing Agencies List | Charles Bloe Training
Nursing Portal | Nursing Events | Brutish Nursing | British Nursing Websites
Website Development and SEO Services

 

KEY WORKERS ARE PRICED OUT OF HOMES
DIET 'AFFECTS ARTERIES OF FOETUS'
BOOST FOR CERVICAL CANCER
ONE IN 20 VIOLENT CRIMES COMMITTED BY MENTALLY ILL
FISH OIL 'AIDS WEIGHT LOSS' WITHOUT DIET
STAFFS MAY STRIKE OVER HEAT
BEAT A FAG WITH A JAG
ALCOHOL KILLS RECORD NUMBER OF WOMEN IN SCOTLAND
FORMER PRESIDENT URGES GMC REMODELLING
DARK SKIN 'DOES NOT BLOCK CANCER'
Nurses Reconnected
   UK Nursing. Copyright, Design and Content, © 1999 - 2024. All rights reserved  
Wessex Care Jobs Registered Nurses RGN RMN HCAs Community Support Assistants & Welfare Assistants