Anemia profiling in antenatal women at a tertiary care center in northern India: An observational study

Abstract

: Anemia is a common health issue during pregnancy, with various factors influencing its occurrence. Iron deficiency often leads to iron deficiency anemia (IDA), significantly impacting maternal and fetal health.: This study aims to investigate the complete blood count and nutritional status, including serum iron profile, vitamin B12, and folate levels in antenatal patients. : The study involved 160 participants, predominantly from rural areas. The severity of anemia among the participants was classified according to WHO guidelines.: Iron deficiency was observed in 33.75% of women, folate deficiency in 20%, and vitamin B12 deficiency in 11.25%. Some women exhibited a combination of deficiencies. The average hemoglobin level was found to be 8.69 g/dL, and the mean iron level was 35.95 µg/dL. The average ferritin levels were observed to be 49.65 ng/mL. Lastly, the Vitamin B12 and folate levels averaged at 130.21 pg/mL and 14.76 ng/mL respectively.: These findings provide valuable insights into the nutritional status of pregnant women and highlight the need for targeted interventions to address micronutrient deficiencies during pregnancy.