Maternal anaemia and neonatal outcome: An observational study on rural pregnant women

Abstract

Anaemia in pregnancy is a public health problem in developing countries. An observational study of anaemic pregnant women was carried out at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology from 1st December 2015 to 30th may 2017, to determine the effects of maternal anaemia on the newborn babies according to the severity of anaemia. 314 pregnant women with anaemia were included in this study. Parameters studied were haemoglobin levels, neonatal birth weight, APGAR score, NICU admission and cord blood haemoglobin. Severity of anaemia is determined by additional cutoffs, with severe anaemia defined as a haemoglobin level of less than 7.0g/dl. Statistics 16.0 software was used. Out of 314 patients, 24 patients (7.6%), 39 patients (12.4%), 251 patients(79.9%) were in severe, moderate, and mild category respectively. Mean haemoglobin levels in present study was 8.65gm/dl. 219 newborns (69.7%) were low birth weight out of which 100% babies born to severely anaemic mothers were LBW which shows that with increase in severity of anaemia, birth weight decreases which is statistically significant. 91.7% babies born to severe category had less than 7 APGAR score. 91.7% newborn in severe anaemia were admitted to NICU. 87.5% babies born to severely anaemic women had neonatal anaemia. Anaemia during pregnancy and its management remains an important issue in perinatal medication. Correct diagnosis and treatment lead to effective management of fetal and maternal risks and improved perinatal outcome.