Babies born to anaemic mothers have smaller brains, study finds

A study looking at anaemia in pregnancy and the brain development of babies. Photograph: The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London A study looking at anaemia in pregnancy and the brain development of babies. Photograph: The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London Global development Babies born to anaemic mothers have smaller brains, study finds Key regions of the brain linked to movement, learning and emotions were affected and may lead to cognitive problems

About this content Kat Lay , Global health correspondent Wed 9 Sep 2026 00.00 EDT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google Babies born to mothers with anaemia have smaller brains, particularly in key regions linked to movement, learning and the regulation of emotion, according to a study.

Researchers said the differences, first detected at the age of one, could lead to cognitive problems when children started school.