7 Common Micronutrient Deficiencies Every Expecting Mom Should Know

If you're pregnant or raising a young child, you're doing your best to keep everyone healthy with good food, regular checkups, and lots of love. But even with the best intentions, it's possible to miss out on essential nutrients. In fact, the Philippines still sees its fair share of micronutrient deficiencies among pregnant women and young kids.

Here's what you need to know about these nutrition that can lead to bigger problems in growth, immunity, and overall development.

What Are Micronutrient Deficiencies?

Micronutrients are the vitamins and minerals your body needs in small amounts, but they play a big role in how your body works. Iron, calcium, and vitamin A are examples of micronutrients.

When you or your child does not get enough of these micronutrients, the deficiency can lead to malnutrition and affect your health and your child’s development in harmful ways.

In the Philippines, data from a UNICEF nutrient gap assessment show that micronutrient deficiencies in children often begin during the complementary feeding period. Children aged 6–23 months face gaps in vitamin A, iron, calcium, and zinc.

A study published in The Lancet Global Health estimates that 69% of non-pregnant women of reproductive age worldwide (approximately 1–2 billion women) are affected by micronutrient deficiency, primarily in iron, zinc, or folate.  

Common Micronutrient Deficiencies in the Philippines

Micronutrient deficiency or micronutrient malnutrition been linked to chronic diseases later in life.

Micronutrient deficiencies put your health, especially if you're pregnant, and your child's development at serious risk. Below are the most common types seen among Filipino families.

1. Iron deficiency

Iron is a mineral the body needs to carry oxygen in the blood. During pregnancy and early childhood, the body's iron requirements increase due to rapid growth and development.

Consequences: When iron levels drop too low, it can lead to anemia, a persistent problem among children 6 months to 5 years old and among pregnant women in the country.
The 2023 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) reports that 21.7% of pregnant women and 25.3% of children aged 6 to 23 months are anemic.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says anemia can increase the risk of premature birth and low birth weight. Severe cases can even affect cognitive, motor, and social-emotional development in children.

Food rich in iron: Red meat, liver, fish, tofu, and leafy greens. If you're pregnant, your doctor may prescribe pregnancy vitamin supplements that include iron to support both you and your baby’s needs.

Read about iron deficiency anemia on Iron Foods for Pregnancy and Signs of Iron Deficiency in Children.

2. Zinc deficiency

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), zinc plays a role in many processes within the cells. It helps hundreds of enzymes perform their jobs, keeping the immune system strong, aiding the body's healing process, and supporting the production of proteins and DNA.

Consequences: NIH notes that zinc deficiency has been linked to delayed physical and mental development, weaker immunity, and a higher risk of diarrhea in children. It has also been linked to reproductive issues.

This micronutrient deficiency also raises the risk of premature births, low birth weight, and higher risks of illness and death for children.

Food rich in zinc: Meat, seafood, eggs, legumes, oats, and fortified food like breakfast cereals.

3. Folate deficiency

Everyone needs folate, also known as folic acid, the synthetic form of vitamin B9. Folate helps in the production of DNA and other genetic material. Folate is also vital for cell division.

However, folate needs are high during pregnancy because it plays a crucial role in the baby’s development, especially in the first trimester. It can help reduce the chances of the baby developing neural tube defects (NTDs).

Consequences: Folic acid deficiency can lead to conditions such as spina bifida, where the spine fails to form properly, or anencephaly, where parts of the brain or skull are missing.

Food rich in folate: Beans, dark leafy greens, citrus fruits, and fortified grains. To know more about folate, read Folic Acid for Pregnancy: When to Really Start Taking It.

4. Calcium deficiency

Your pregnant body pulls calcium from your bones to support your baby. That's why milk and other calcium-rich foods crucial in your pregnancy diet.

Bones and teeth are made up of calcium, so the body needs an adequate amount to maintain their strength and health. Calcium is also found in small amounts in the blood and around the cells, where it plays important roles in functions such as regulating blood flow, enabling muscle contraction, and transmitting nerve signals.

Consequences: Not getting enough calcium in early childhood may raise the risk of weak bones or even rickets. You can find out more in 5 Signs of Low Calcium in Kids and Causes of Hypocalcemia.

In expecting mothers, calcium deficiency can increase the risk of bone loss or high blood pressure. If you're expecting, the Calcium in Pregnancy: Guidelines for Pregnant Women provides additional information.

Food rich in calcium: Milk, cheese, yogurt, tofu, and dark green vegetables like kangkong and bok choy.

5. Iodine deficiency

Iodine helps the body make thyroid hormones, which are essential for a baby's brain development during pregnancy. Without enough iodine during pregnancy, the thyroid can't produce enough of these hormones.

The 2018-2019 ENNS survey found that children and senior citizens are getting enough iodine. However, pregnant and breastfeeding Pinays have had insufficient iodine intake for the past 10 years.

Consequences: A 2025 review in Nutrients shows that severe iodine deficiency increases the chances of stillbirth or miscarriage. It can also affect the baby's brain growth and may lead to long-term learning and developmental delays. Iodine deficiency can also lead to goiter and hypothyroidism.

Food rich in vitamin A: Fish, seaweed, dairy, and eggs. Make sure you're cooking with iodized salt.

6. Vitamin A deficiency

Vitamin A supports good vision, strong immunity, and fetal growth and development. Unfortunately, vitamin A deficiency continues to affect Filipino children between 6 months and 5 years old for over a decade, according to the ENNS report.

Meanwhile, WHO states that pregnant women are most at risk of vitamin A deficiency during the third trimester. This is the period when the baby is growing rapidly, and the mother's blood volume increases to support the baby’s development.

Consequences: According to WHO, vitamin A deficiency causes preventable blindness in children worldwide. It also makes kids more vulnerable to respiratory infections and diarrhea. In pregnant women, it can lead to night blindness and raise the risk of maternal complications.

Food rich in vitamin A: Orange and dark green vegetables like squash, sweet potato, and malunggay.

7. Other potential gaps: B vitamins

UNICEF's report highlights potential gaps in vitamin B12, thiamine, niacin, and vitamin B6, essential nutrients that support brain development, metabolism, and overall energy. But these may be more challenging to track since national data is limited.

You can read about the importance of the B vitamins or B-complex in Brain Vitamins for Kids: What Matters for Healthy Development.

How to Prevent Micronutrient Deficiencies

The good news is that micronutrient deficiencies are preventable. Knowing how much of these nutrients you need—both during pregnancy and for your child—puts you in a stronger position to protect their health. The key is to consume a varied and balanced diet.

It's also crucial to stay on top of your prenatal care schedule and follow your ob-gyn's advice closely. Your doctor can regularly check for micronutrient deficiencies and help you adjust your prenatal nutrition if needed. Making sure you're getting the proper nutrients at the right time is one of the best things you can do for a healthy pregnancy and your child’s future.

How do you include micronutrients in your meal planning? Share it on the ParentTeam Moms and Dads Facebook Group!