Maternal anemia in various trimesters of singleton pregnancies and its correlation with birth weight: An observational study

Abstract

Background: Anemia is a very important preventable nutritional disorder affecting pregnant ladies which may have some adverse effects on the neonatal survival and development. Birth weight was correlated with changes in maternal hemoglobin concentration in various trimesters as it is important for determining child survival and development. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the correlation between maternal hemoglobin levels in various trimesters and neonatal birth weight. Materials and Methods: The study enrolled all pregnant women within age group 15–35 years who gave birth at Agartala Government Medical College and GBP Hospital from June 15, 2017 to August 15, 2017. Pregnant women were included into the study following delivery by simple random sampling into cases (Pregnant women who delivered low birth weight babies <2500 g) and control group (Pregnant women who delivered normal birth weight babies ≥2500 g). Antenatal data were collected from hospital case sheet and labor room register. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented as Mean + SD. P < 0.05 (P < 0.05) was considered statistically significant. Results: Mean hemoglobin concentration was normal (˃11 g/dl) in all three trimesters among the controls but it is found to be <11 g/dl in second and third trimesters of the case group. The mean birth weight of the babies was 2.151(± 0.2386) kg in case group and 3.047(± 0.3666) kg in control group. Conclusions: It was found that maternal hemoglobin concentration has a positive correlation (r > 0) with neonatal birth weight in all three trimesters in both cases and controls which is statistically significant (P < 0.05).