New Delhi, 04 June 2025: A recent study has revealed a significant link between anemia during pregnancy and a higher risk of congenital heart defects (CHDs) in newborns, raising alarm among healthcare professionals and mothers-to-be. As maternal health continues to be a critical area of focus in global health policy. This new evidence underscores the urgent need for early diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy.
What Is Pregnancy Anemia?
Pregnancy anemia, particularly iron-deficiency anemia, occurs when a woman does not have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to her body’s tissues and to her baby. It is one of the most common complications in pregnancy, affecting more than 50% of pregnant women in India and many other low-to-middle-income countries.
While anemia has long been associated with fatigue, dizziness, and premature birth, this new study sheds light on a more dangerous consequence—congenital heart defects, which are structural problems with the heart present at birth.
New Research Links Anemia to Heart Malformations in Babies
The study, conducted by researchers from a leading global medical university and published in a peer-reviewed journal, analyzed over 300,000 birth records from multiple countries. The findings were eye-opening: women diagnosed with anemia during early or mid-pregnancy had up to a 40% higher chance of giving birth to babies with heart abnormalities compared to those without anemia.
The most commonly observed congenital heart defects in the study included:
- Ventricular septal defects (VSD) – a hole in the wall separating the two lower chambers of the heart
- Atrial septal defects (ASD) – a hole in the upper chambers
- Tetralogy of Fallot – a combination of four heart defects
- Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) – where the positions of the two main arteries are switched
Why Does Anemia Affect the Fetal Heart?
Iron is essential for oxygen transport and plays a critical role in fetal organ development, especially during the first trimester when the baby’s heart begins to form. Anemia leads to a lack of oxygen-rich blood reaching the placenta, which can disrupt normal embryonic development and increase the chances of structural heart abnormalities.
“Low hemoglobin levels in mothers reduce the oxygen available to the developing fetus, particularly during critical phases of heart formation. This hypoxic environment could be a major contributing factor to heart defects,” said Dr. Neeta Sharma, a senior gynecologist at AIIMS, New Delhi.
Who’s Most at Risk?
Certain groups of pregnant women are more vulnerable to developing anemia and, consequently, more likely to deliver babies with congenital heart defects. These include:
- Women with poor dietary iron intake
- Those with closely spaced pregnancies
- Teenage mothers
- Women from low socioeconomic backgrounds
- Pregnant women with chronic illnesses or infections like malaria or hookworm
Symptoms of Anemia During Pregnancy
Often, the symptoms of anemia are subtle and mistaken for normal pregnancy fatigue. However, it’s important to recognize these warning signs:
- Pale skin, lips, and nails
- Fatigue and weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid heartbeat
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Cold hands and feet
Pregnant women should undergo routine blood tests during their first trimester and again in the second trimester to detect anemia early.
How Can Pregnancy-Related Anemia Be Prevented?
Prevention is key. Here are expert-recommended strategies:
- Iron and folic acid supplementation: These are usually prescribed as part of prenatal care and should be taken daily.
- Iron-rich diet: Include foods like leafy greens, lentils, beans, eggs, red meat, fortified cereals, and dry fruits.
- Vitamin C intake: Helps improve iron absorption.
- Avoid tea and coffee right after meals, as they can inhibit iron absorption.
- Regular antenatal check-ups to monitor hemoglobin levels.
Dr. Manisha Kapoor, a senior obstetrician at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital, emphasizes, “By simply identifying and treating anemia early. We can significantly reduce the chances of not only maternal complications but also serious congenital abnormalities in the baby.”
With India already reporting a high rate of maternal anemia—estimated at over 50% of pregnant women—the new findings demand public health interventions. The government’s Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) initiative aims to reduce anemia by promoting screening, awareness, and free iron supplements.
Health experts suggest the program must now extend its messaging to include the risks of congenital heart defects in babies, not just maternal outcomes. Awareness campaigns in rural areas, affordable prenatal testing, and improved dietary access for women are vital to minimizing risks.
This new study offers a critical wake-up call for pregnant women, healthcare providers, and policymakers. Anemia is not just a maternal health issue—it is a major fetal risk factor, especially for heart defects in newborns. Early screening, proper nutrition, and treatment can make a life-saving difference.
Expecting mothers must empowered with the knowledge and tools to maintain healthy iron levels throughout pregnancy. With the right care and timely action, we can protect both mothers and their babies from this preventable danger.
