Iron deficiency and overweight in a child exposed to methamphetamine in utero

Methamphetamine (meth) exposure during fetal development may increase nutritional risk due to both congenital and developmental problems associated with exposure. In this case study, an interdisciplinary team assessed the health and nutrition status of a 5-year-old girl exposed to meth in utero. Significant nutrition-related findings included iron deficiency anemia of nondietary but unknown origin and a body mass index at the 92 percentile. The anemia potentially contributed to or exacerbated the cognitive and behavioral problems identified in her evaluation. The prevalence and origin of iron deficiency anemia in children exposed to meth in utero needs to be investigated further.