Iron status of newborns born to iron deficient anaemic mothers

Haemoglobin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, and serum ferritin were determined in newborns of 16 mothers with iron deficiency anaemia, 28 mothers with non-anaemic iron deficiency, and nine mothers with normal haemoglobin and serum ferritin levels. The results showed that there were no significant differences in the mean values of haemoglobin, serum iron, and total iron binding capacity among the newborns in the three groups. However, the mean value of serum ferritin differed significantly among the three groups, with the lowest values found in newborns of mothers with iron deficiency anaemia.