TABLE 5.
Identified adverse outcomes associated with high iron exposure in pregnant women and young children1
| Outcome | Associated indicator of high iron exposure | Nature of evidence |
| Health outcome | ||
| GDM/T2D-PP (24–33) | Supplementation | Inconsistent |
| SF | Consistent | |
| Intake | Inconsistent | |
| Preterm birth (34–37) | Hemoglobin | Inconsistent |
| SF | Consistent | |
| Impaired fetal growth (35, 38) | Supplementation | Consistent |
| Hemoglobin | Inconsistent | |
| SF | Inconsistent | |
| Impaired infant/child growth (39–44) | Supplementation to iron replete | Consistent |
| Long-term impaired cognitive development (45) | Supplementation to iron replete | Limited |
| Diarrhea (46) | Supplementation or fortification | Inconsistent |
| Intermediate outcome | ||
| Microbiome change (47–50) | Supplementation | Inconsistent |
1
GDM, gestational diabetes mellitus; SF, serum ferritin; T2D-PP, type 2 diabetes postpartum.