About one in three babies in Africa are born with anemia, a condition in which a baby’s blood doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen, according to a recent study published in the journal BMC Pediatrics.
When a baby has anemia, they may look pale, seem tired, or feed poorly. If left untreated, it can affect the baby’s growth and brain development. Anemia can happen for many reasons, including due to blood disorders like hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN).
This study found that the main causes of newborn anemia in Africa were linked to the mother’s health and nutrition. Mothers with anemia were almost three times more likely to have babies with anemia, and babies born to mothers who experienced bleeding during pregnancy were twice as likely to have anemia.
Mothers who didn’t take iron supplements during pregnancy and those who rarely ate vegetables—a key source of iron and folate—were about three times more likely to have anemic newborns.
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The researchers analyzed data from 14 studies including nearly 4,500 newborns across Africa. They found that 30% of newborns were anemic, with lower rates in East Africa (around 23%) and higher rates in West Africa (close to 40%). In some countries, like Benin and Gabon, more than half of newborns were affected.
“Addressing maternal anemia is critical not only for improving newborn health outcomes but also for reducing the long-term impact of anemia on child development,” the researchers wrote.. “Given the strong association between maternal and neonatal anemia, interventions targeting pregnant women should be prioritized.”
This means making sure that every expectant mother has good prenatal care, access to iron and folic acid supplements, and plenty of healthy foods. Public health programs can also help by teaching women about the importance of balanced, nutritious diets during pregnancy, the researchers said.
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