Maternal micronutrient deficiency and congenital heart disease risk: A systematic review of observational studies

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#copper #female #ferritins #folic-acid #heart-defects-congenital

Maternal micronutrient deficiency and congenital heart disease risk: A systematic review of observational studies

Mires et al., 2022 | Birth Defects Res | Systematic Review

Citation

Mires Stuart, Caputo Massimo, ... Skerritt Clare. Maternal micronutrient deficiency and congenital heart disease risk: A systematic review of observational studies. Birth Defects Res. 2022-Oct-15;114(17):1079-1091. doi:10.1002/bdr2.2072

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Congenital anomalies affect over 2% of pregnancies, with congenital heart disease (CHD) the most common. Understanding of causal factors is limited. Micronutrients are essential trace elements with key roles in growth and development. We aimed to investigate whether maternal micronutrient deficiencies increase the risk of fetal CHD through systematic review of published literature. METHOD: We performed a systematic review registered at PROSPERO as CRD42021276699. Ovid-MEDLINE, Ovid-EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched from their inception until September 7, 2021. Case control trials were included with a population of biological mothers of fetuses with and without CHD. The exposure was maternal micronutrient level measured in pregnancy or the postpartum period. Data extraction was performed by one author and checked by a second. Risk of bias assessment was performed according to the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network guidance. We performed a narrative synthesis for analysis. RESULTS: 726 articles were identified of which 8 met our inclusion criteria. Final analysis incorporated data from 2,427 pregnancies, 1,199 of which were complicated by fetal CHD assessing 8 maternal micronutrients: vitamin D, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin A, zinc, copper, selenium, and ferritin. Studies were heterogenous with limited sample sizes and differing methods and timing of maternal micronutrient sampling. Definitions of deficiency varied and differed from published literature. Published results were contradictory. CONCLUSION: There is not enough evidence to confidently conclude if maternal micronutrient deficiencies increase the risk of fetal CHD. Further large-scale prospective study is required to answer this question.

Key Findings

726 articles were identified of which 8 met our inclusion criteria. Final analysis incorporated data from 2,427 pregnancies, 1,199 of which were complicated by fetal CHD assessing 8 maternal micronutrients: vitamin D, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin A, zinc, copper, selenium, and ferritin. Studies were heterogenous with limited sample sizes and differing methods and timing of maternal micronutrient sampling. Definitions of deficiency varied and differed from published literature. Published results

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition deficiency

MeSH Terms

  • Copper
  • Female
  • Ferritins
  • Folic Acid
  • Heart Defects, Congenital
  • Humans
  • Malnutrition
  • Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Micronutrients
  • Observational Studies as Topic
  • Pregnancy
  • Selenium
  • Trace Elements
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin B 12
  • Vitamin D
  • Zinc

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Vertical: selenium

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09