Otoacoustic emission in infants with and without first trimester maternal iron deficiency anemia

Abstract Background Iron deficiency anemia is the most common global nutritional health problem, commonly seen in women during pregnancy in developing countries. Iron is an essential mineral that provide nutrition, oxygen transfer, oxygen storage, metabolic activity, cell growth, and development. Iron plays a vital role in the development of neural and auditory structures. Reduced iron may alter the normal maturation of the auditory pathway and cochlear functioning in infants. The auditory system in newborns starts to mature during early gestation. Aim and objectives To compare frequency-specific DPOAE amplitude and SNR between infants born to mothers with first-trimester iron deficiency anemia and without iron deficiency anemia. Methods A comparative observational study that includes 60 infants aged 3 months (± 2 weeks) was separated into two groups. Group I comprised infants born to mothers without iron deficiency, whereas Group II included babies born to mothers with iron deficiency. DPOAE test was carried out at 1500 Hz, 2000 Hz, 3000 Hz, and 4000 Hz. DPOAE amplitude and SNR values were obtained and analyzed. Results Infants without maternal IDA showed significantly higher DPOAE amplitudes at 4000 Hz in the right ear, while in the left ear, showed that the amplitudes at 1500 Hz and 2000 Hz were significantly reduced in infants without maternal IDA compared to infants with maternal IDA. No noticeable changes were seen at the remaining frequencies. No statistically significant between-group differences were observed in SNR at any tested frequency in either ear. Discussion Maternal first-trimester iron deficiency anemia was associated with differences in DPOAE amplitudes at selected frequencies, while SNR did not differ significantly between groups. These findings suggest subtle peripheral auditory changes, although their clinical significance and causal relationship remain uncertain. Conclusion First-trimester maternal IDA was associated with differences in DPOAE amplitude at selected frequencies in infants, while SNR remained comparable between groups. The clinical significance of these amplitude differences remains uncertain, and larger longitudinal studies are required.