Relationship between maternal iron status and the risk of congenital heart defects: A case–control study

Abstract

Objective The cause of most congenital heart defect cases remains unknown. A previous study showed a link between maternal iron deficiency and congenital heart defects in mice; however, this association is not yet clear in humans. This study aimed to explore the potential relationship between maternal iron status and congenital heart defects in infants. Methods We conducted a case–control study, including 70 mothers whose infants had congenital heart defects and their infants (case group) and 30 mothers whose infants did not have any congenital heart defects and their infants (control group). We interviewed eligible mothers and collected peripheral blood samples to analyze iron-related biomarkers. We used binomial logistic regression to estimate the odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) for the association of maternal iron status with congenital heart defects. Results Serum ferritin, serum iron, and transferrin saturation levels were lower, while total iron binding capacity was higher among mothers of the case group than among those of the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, mothers in the case group were at higher risk of having iron deficiency (odds ratio = 2.91, 95% confidence interval: 1.143–7.418) than those in the control group. Conclusions Maternal iron status was lower among mothers of the case group than among those of the control group. Furthermore, mothers in the case group had a greater likelihood of experiencing iron deficiency than those in the control group.