Study Links Maternal Anaemia to Smaller Brains in Babies

Babies born to mothers with anaemia have smaller overall brain volumes and reduced growth in key functional areas, according to a new study by researchers in the United Kingdom and South Africa. The findings show that even mild maternal anaemia is linked to structural brain differences in infants that persist and broaden into early childhood.

Key Findings on Infant Brain Growth

Researchers from King’s College London and the University of Cape Town tracked more than 300 mothers and their children in Cape Town, South Africa. Using brain scans taken between three months and two years of age, the team found that infants born to mothers with anaemia had an average total brain volume 4% lower than those born to non-anaemic mothers.

The reduced volume specifically affected the putamen, caudate nucleus, and corpus callosum—regions involved in motor control, learning, emotion regulation, and processing speed. “All three of these brain regions are implicated in key neuropsychological functions,” said Jessica Ringshaw, the study’s lead author from King’s College London and the University of Cape Town.

The study observed that structural differences expanded over time rather than diminishing. For instance, the corpus callosum was 4% smaller at 12 months in children of anaemic mothers compared to non-anaemic mothers, but the gap widened to 6% by 24 months. Ringshaw noted, “These aren’t children who are catching up, where the brain differences are disappearing over time.” Earlier studies in South Africa similarly found persistent volume deficits in school-aged children, suggesting these brain changes may explain why children of anaemic mothers often score lower on developmental assessments.

Call for Increased Screening and Prevention

Anaemia affects more than a third of pregnant women globally, driven primarily by iron deficiency, with the highest rates recorded in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath. In the study cohort, higher rates of anaemia were also recorded among women living with HIV.

Because participating mothers with and without anaemia shared similar socio-economic backgrounds, including household income and food security, the researchers expressed confidence that maternal anaemia directly caused the observed developmental differences. To address the issue, Ringshaw urged healthcare providers to expand diagnostic testing, stating, “We should be screening for anaemia and iron deficiency, particularly during pregnancy.” She recommended the use of oral or intravenous iron supplements alongside proper management of underlying infections.

Testing via Low-Cost Portable Technology

The research, published in the journal Brain Communications, was conducted using low-field portable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners, which are less expensive and more mobile than conventional high-field hospital machines. Comparative evaluations confirmed that the portable scanners were sensitive enough to detect subtle brain volume differences in infants.

Steve Williams, professor of neuroimaging at King’s College London, stated that the portable technology demonstrated an ability to assess the brain impact of malnutrition at scale within challenging environments. Despite international targets set by the World Health Organization to lower anaemia rates, global progress has stalled over the last two decades.

Background

Anaemia occurs when the body lacks sufficient healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin to deliver oxygen to tissues effectively. While iron deficiency is the primary global cause, the condition can also result from infectious diseases, genetic factors, or nutritional deficits. Public health campaigns routinely advocate for nutritional fortification and maternal screening, yet access to early diagnosis remains uneven worldwide.