English

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is the commonest cause of neonatal mortality .It is responsible for 30-50% of neonatal deaths in developing countries. Anemia during pregnancy is highly prevalent in India. Anemia in pregnancy has adverse effects on maternal and fetal health. Obstetrical complications like low birth weight babies, IUGR, increased rate of preterm deliveries & increased perinatal mortality are known. OBJECTIVES: Primary: To find relation between maternal anemia and proven neonatal sepsis. Secondary: To find long term morbidity and mortality of babies born to anemic mother. METHODS: The study was carried out in the Department of Pediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital, Bangalore for a period of two years. A prospective randomized study conducted on 200 pregnant women who were found to be anaemic. All subjects were analyzed in full details and hemoglobin estimation done during 1s t visit, at 30th week and 36th week of gestation. Blood cultures were done in all the babies admitted to NICU for various reasons. RESULTS: The incidence of mild anaemia 29.5%, moderate anemia 53% and 17.5% severe anaemia was noted in mothers. Out of total 200, 194 were liveborn and met the inclusion criteria, 20% were preterm, 28% IUGR, 51 babies(25 %) required NICU admission due to various reasons out of which 9% developed proven sepsis. CONCLUSION: Anaemia in pregnancy continues to be a major problem in developing countries with maternal and fetal complications and neonatal sepsis was found to be indirectly associated with maternal anaemia.