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FOUR OUT OF five pregnant women in Ireland are iron deficient by their third trimester, according to a study published today by University College Cork.
Iron deficiency during pregnancy is linked to increased risks of complications for both the mother and the child, including neurodevelopmental challenges for the baby.
According to the researchers who contributed to the study, the findings raise concerns as the people studied were “a low-risk and generally healthy cohort”.
The authors did reference that taking supplments is helpful, noting that “iron-containing supplements (mainly multivitamins) taken pre/early pregnancy were associated with a reduced risk of iron deficiency throughout pregnancy, including the third trimester.”
This study was carried out by researchers at the Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health and the School of Food and Nutritional Sciences in UCC in collaboration with the University of Minnesota and the Masonic Institute of the Developing Brain.
Led by UCC’s Dr Elaine McCarthy, the study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
The study analysed data collected from 641 women in Ireland who were carrying their first baby and had a successful delivery.
Blood samples were taken from the women throughout pregnancy, at 15, 20 and 33 weeks to determine their levels of iron.
The researchers found that in Cork, iron deficiency was “very common during pregnancy, despite the mothers being generally healthy.”
But despite these high rates of iron deficiency, none of the study participants were anaemic in the first trimester.
Lead researcher, Dr Elaine McCarthy of UCC said that iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency in the world, “but it has often been thought of as mainly a problem in low-resource settings (places with little or inadequate healthcare services)”.
“Our research clearly illustrates that iron deficiency is extremely common amongst pregnant women, even in a generally healthy population, such as this cohort in Ireland.”
Dr McCarthy emphasised the need for a shift in healthcare practices because routine screening for iron deficiency during pregnancy is not common practice.
“Our findings highlight the importance of screening to identify the women at the greatest risk of iron deficiency early in their pregnancy,” she said.
“In addition to this, we need to support and educate pregnant women around the importance of iron in their diets.”
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“first time mum Zuri and experienced dad Kumar.”
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The mane thing is you explained the joke
That fact gives me pride. But I did paws briefly before explaining it.
Dang can’t think of any more. I’ll have to draw the lion here so…
Cub your enthusiasm!
So you’re feline proud Paul.
He is the King of the Journal ,after all !
Cuteness overload
Beautiful creatures . majestic
I’m sick to my teeth of hearing “I don’t agree with zoo’s, no animal should be caged”… In imagination land that’s a brilliant idea, all animals roaming free etc. Reality check, If it wasn’t for these “prisons” a lot of these animals would now be extinct. Case in point, Longleat in England started a conservation in the 1960′s with Africa for the rhino, can’t remember whether its the white or black one. Anyways, since they started the breeding and re-population programme, its now come off the endangered list. All because idiots think no 1 its some kinda of magic Viagra, and 2, a “lovely ornament”… So I’m a firm believer in zoo’s, well until we can sterilize these idiots so they can’t reproduce.
Well said babs
Babs, you’re talking out of your arse!
So cute. While I don’t like the idea of keeping wild animals in zoos, for reasons of safe keeping until we can stop poachers and hunters this is what we can provide. I am not saying all zoos are good. But some do their best.
Beautiful animal, would be even more so in it’s own habitat.
Without reverting to name calling and with all due respet to Dublin Zoo, the bottom line is that Zoos are an entertainment business, their financial product is the animals the house and the revenue those animals produce. Baby animals generate huge footfall resulting in huge revenue for zoos.
Animals retained in zoos are denied everything that makes their lives meaningful. Every part of their lives is controlled and manipulated. They have no choice in what or when they eat, whom they mate with, or whom they live with. They are housed in structures that are not even close to the rainforests, plains, and jungles that are their indigenous habitats.
Instead of providing lifetime care, zoos routinely trade, lend (i.e. chinese pandas are all on loan), sell, barter, and distribute animals they no longer want—despite knowing that many species form lasting bonds that are important to their long-term health and happiness. Removing animals from bonded social groups and forcing them to adjust constantly to new routines, different caretakers, and unfamiliar cagemates is disruptive and traumatic. Most animals go mad in captivity.
Zoos have ingeniously managed to tag the world “conservation” on to their product to gloss over the reality of their existence. Zoos do not save animals from extinction, they only breed them to replenish their stock. Another argument as to why a lot of animals cannot be reintroduced back into their natural habitat is because they no longer have a natural habitat due to world over-population which is increasing. So I agree with you on the sterization suggestion but as well as me, it should really include a few more humans in that.
I don’t mean to be ‘preachy’ but there is another side to zoos and I am entitled to my own opinion.
Please watch “Earthlings”, “Blackfish” and “The Ghosts in Our Machine”. It might be of further help to you.
As a fellow sentient being, the same as the fellow sentient beings held in zoos, ask youself this question, “Would I like to live my whole life like that?”.
On the ball
I don’t agree with Zoos.
Thankfully zoos can’t talk so it’s a one sided argument.
I didn’t know India had lions… I thought they were only found in Africa. Learnt something new today!
Should name the cub Gismo
have your say