A study by Chinese scientists has shown that latent iron deficiency in pregnant women may lead to delayed development of the auditory system in fetuses.
The research team relied on an analysis of data from 696 mother-child pairs, in addition to laboratory experiments conducted on mice and cell models. It was found that women who suffered from low iron stores during pregnancy were more likely to give birth to children who showed signs of delayed maturation of the auditory pathways. The condition was not related to anemia, but rather to iron deficiency, which may remain undetected for a long time.
Further experiments showed that iron deficiency disrupts energy metabolism in the inner ear cells of the fetus, affecting the specialized neural connections responsible for transmitting sound signals to the brain. Scientists also found that iron-deficient laboratory mice had mitochondrial damage, a decrease in the number of auditory synapses, and signs of latent hearing loss.
The researchers discovered that pyruvate, a substance involved in cellular energy production, may play a key role in this process. When iron levels decreased, the functions of auditory cells deteriorated, and adding pyruvate led to partial restoration of the damaged connections and improved their function.
The researchers conclude their study by emphasizing that the results highlight the importance of monitoring iron levels during pregnancy, even in the absence of obvious anemia, due to its direct impact on the sensory and neurological development of the fetus.
