Severe Anemia during Pregnancy in the Maternity Ward of the Kalabancoro Reference Health Center

Abstract

Introduction: The main objective was to determine the maternal and fetal consequences of severe anemia in pregnancy at the maternity ward of the Kalabancoro Reference Health Center. Methods: Our descriptive cross-sectional study with prospective data collection was conducted from January 1, 2019 to September 30, 2019 at the maternity ward of the Kalabancoro Health Center. Eligible patients were all consenting pregnant women presenting for prenatal consultation or in the delivery room in which the diagnosis of severe anemia was retained. The anemia was considered severe when the hemoglobin level was less than 7 g/dl and/or with clinical manifestations of decompensation of the anemia. Data were processed and analyzed by SPSS 12 software. Results: A total of 161 cases out of 2010 pregnant women were recruited and treated at the Kalabancoro Health Center, which represents a prevalence of 8% of severe anemia in pregnancy. The 14-19 year age group was the most representative, i.e. 52.2% of pregnant women, with extremes of 14 to 35 years and over. Malaria was the most predominant etiology with 31.05% followed by blood spoliation 25.47% and malaria plus malnutrition 14.29%. Prematurity represented 5% of cases. Maternal death was 1.9%. Low birth weight was 16.7% and stillbirths represented 3.7%. Conclusion: Severe anemia in pregnancy remains, through its complications, one of the most dreaded pathologies. Thus, a prospective analytical study is necessary to better study the causes of severe anemia in pregnancy.