PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON PREVALENCE OF ANEMIA IN PREGNANT WOMEN AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH MATERNAL AND FETAL OUTCOME

Abstract

Anaemia is one of the most common nutritional deciency disorders affecting the pregnant women in the developing countries. Anaemia during pregnancy is commonly associated with poor pregnancy outcome and can result in complications that threaten the life of both mother and foetus. Objective: The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of anaemia among the women who are pregnant and to determine its association with maternal and foetal outcomes. Materials and methods: Two hundred pregnant women of gestational age >37 weeks with previous and recent Haemoglobin report were included in the study and were followed up till 7 days post delivery. Appropriate statistical tests were applied. Results: Among the study group, 63% of pregnant women had anaemia from which about 24% of the women had maternal and foetal morbidity. Out of the 63% of anemic pregnant women,2.38 % had postpartum hemorrhage,2.74% had preeclampsia, 3.17% went into LSCS,1.58% had obstructed labour. The fetal complications include low birth weight (27.7%) followed by preterm delivery (3.17%) and birth asphyxia(2.38%). Conclusions: A high prevalence of anaemia in pregnant women increases the maternal and foetal risks. To improve the maternal and foetal outcome, all the pregnant women must be prevented of anaemia by prophylactic iron administration, must be diagnosed of anaemia at an early stage, and be treated to avoid further antenatal and postnatal complications