The concentrations of total hemoglobin, transport iron, serum ferritin, serum total iron binding, the transferrin saturation rate, unbound erythrocyte porphyrins have been examined in 633 mothers and their newborns. A direct correlation was found between the neonatal and maternal iron status. The formation of the iron store in newborns was significantly influenced by the duration and severity of maternal iron deficiency. Deficient iron storage in antenatal life due to maternal iron deficiency was a major cause of sideropenia and anemia in the infants. Preventive iron therapy during pregnancy prevented iron-deficient anemia in mothers and provided a better neonatal iron status to meet the requirements of the first year of life.