Iron is important for the growth and brain development of a baby during pregnancy.

McCarthy, E., Murray, D. M., & Kiely, M. (2021). Iron deficiency during the first 1000 days of life: are we doing enough to protect the developing brain?. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0029665121002858

Roberts, H., Woodman, A. G., Baines, K., Jeyarajah, M. J., Bourque, S. L., & Renaud, S. (2021). Maternal iron deficiency alters trophoblast differentiation and placental development in rat pregnancy.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1210/endocr/bqab215

Zhao, Z., Shi, Y., Sun, M., & Wang, B. (2025). Effects of prenatal iron deficiency on neurological development and related disorders in offspring. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1637398

Amin, M., Ali, M. E., Mohamed, A. H., Sanad, S. A., Alghobary, H., & Fahmy, Y. A. (2020). Effect of Maternal Iron Deficiency Anemia on Fetal Hemodynamics and Neonatal Outcome. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijphrd.v11i4.8725

Georgieff, M. K. (2026). The Effects of Maternal Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia on the Developing Fetal and Neonatal Brain.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogc.2026.103269

ME, C., A, B., M, B., A, F., S, E., & G, B. (2026). Maternal Nutrition During Pregnancy and Fetal Outcome, Short- and Long-Term Health Effects: A Narrative Review.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18091375

Basu, S., Kumar, D., Anupurba, S., Verma, A., & Kumar, A. (2018). Effect of Maternal Iron Deficiency Anemia on Fetal Neural Development. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ogx.0000544555.36253.18

G, B., H, H., Z, M., E, B., T, A., NA, M., F, H., & K, Y. (2026). Iron dysregulation in the central nervous system: implications for autism spectrum disorder.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-026-00833-7

J, C., J, G., P, L., & M, K. (2026). Iron Deficiency and Human Brain Electrophysiology Across the Lifespan: A Systematic and Mechanistic Review of Resting EEG, Event-Related Potentials, and Treatment Responsiveness.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18182955

A, S., YP, K., P, K., R, T., S, G., A, P., K, S., & J, S. (2026). Effect of iron supplementation on brain myelination and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children aged 0-3 years: a systematic review protocol.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2026.1891295

RM, V., DN, R., R, B., MA, S., GR, L., & CL, C. (2026). Phylum level differences in the gut bacteria of nursing infants and growth-related decreases in iron reserves are associated with the microstructural organization of cortical white matter tracts in rhesus monkeys.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ynstr.2026.100848