Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction in Perinatal Iron Deficiency

TL;DR

Perinatal iron deficiency harms brain development, and using biomarkers could improve screening and treatment strategies for affected infants.

Contribution

The paper proposes using serum iron indices and hematological parameters as biomarkers to optimize brain development in perinatal iron deficiency.

Findings

Current iron supplementation strategies may lead to undertreatment or overtreatment due to ignoring individual iron status.

Serum iron indices and hematological parameters are linked to abnormal neurodevelopment in perinatal iron deficiency.

Biomarker-based strategies could better target optimal brain development outcomes.

Abstract

Iron deficiency in the fetal and neonatal period (perinatal iron deficiency) bodes poorly for neurodevelopment. Given its common occurrence and the negative impact on brain development, a screening and treatment strategy that is focused on optimizing brain development in perinatal iron deficiency is necessary. Pediatric societies currently recommend a universal iron supplementation strategy for full-term and preterm infants that does not consider individual variation in body iron status and thus could lead to undertreatment or overtreatment. Moreover, the focus is on hematological normalcy and not optimal brain development. Several serum iron indices and hematological parameters in the perinatal period are associated with a risk of abnormal neurodevelopment, suggesting their potential use as biomarkers for screening and monitoring treatment in infants at risk for perinatal iron deficiency. A biomarker-based screening and treatment strategy that is focused on optimizing brain development will likely improve outcomes in perinatal iron deficiency.

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