APGAR Score of Neonates Born to Anemic Mothers versus Non-Anemic Mothers

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of maternal iron deficiency anemia on APGAR score of neonates at one minute.Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital Gujrat from January 2017 to November 2017. In total 380 patients (50% anemic and 50% non-anemic mothers) were included in study. Grouping into anemic and non-anemic groups was done, based on their hemoglobin level, MCV, MCH and ferritin levels. APGAR score at 1 minute was noted in neonates born to both groups. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Chi square test was applied to evaluate the difference of APGAR score.Results: Mean age in anemic was 27+4.6 years and in non-anemic 26+5.1 years. The mean hemoglobin among anemic was 8.9+2.1 g/dl and among non-anemic 12.3+1.2 g/dL. Mean MCV in non-anemic 85.7+3.8 fl, while among anemic was 62.4+4.1 fl Mean ferritin levels among anemic were 7.4+1.1 ng/ml. Neonates delivered by anemic mothers had mean APGAR score of 6.5+0.2 and those delivered to non-anemic had 8.7+0.5. The APGAR score of neonates delivered by anemic and non-anemic showed a significant difference (p-value 0.00). The relative risk of having low APGAR score of infant in anemic compared to non-anemic mothers was 29.00 (95% CI, 13.1798-63.8098) with p<0.0001.Conclusion: Maternal anemia is significantly associated with poor APGAR score in neonates.