Lack of Iron Might Lead to Hearing Problems in Preemies

Mothers whose bodies are low in iron may have premature infants with hearing difficulties, a new study claims.

"The study evaluated 80 premature babies over 18 months, testing their cord blood for iron levels and using a non-invasive tool...to measure the maturity of the brain's auditory nervous system soon after birth. It was found that the brains of infants with low iron levels in their cord blood...had abnormal maturation of auditory system compared to infants with normal cord iron levels."

In other words: "Sound isn't transmitted as well through the immature auditory pathway in the brains of premature babies who are deficient in iron as compared to premature babies who have enough iron," said Sanjiv Amin, associate professor of paediatrics at University of Rochester Medical Centre (URMC),.

Low iron levels in mothers (also called anemia) is already known to cause fatigue, preterm labor, and low birth weights.

SOURCE: "Scanty iron in womb may erode premature baby's ability to hear," Hindu News Update, http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/099200905051451.htm