Per-Partum Anaemia and Missed Post-Partum Haemorrhage in Low Resources Settings

Abstract

Background: Post-partum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death throughout the world, and anaemia is one of its indirect causes. Anaemia during labour increases the risk of PPH and may lead to maternal mortality even after moderate PPH. Undiagnosed PPH and post-partum anaemia increases the risk of late maternal death in the community. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of anaemia on admission for labour, the occult early post-partum haemorrhage and the magnitude of post-partum anaemia in a low resource setting. Methods: This was a longitudinal study. We included pregnant women in labour. Haemoglobin concentration was measured on admission (H0), then 24 hours (H24) and 48 (H48) hours later. The post-partum blood loss was estimated by delta haemoglobin, using the criteria of M. Driessen et al. Results: We recruited 245 pregnant women. The mean age was 27.0 ± 6.0 years. The mean hemoglobin concentration was 11.7 ± 1.9 g/dl, the frequency of anaemia was 30.6% and was related to ethnicity (P = 0.042) gestational age (p pregnancy time space (p = 0.001). Twenty-two-point two percent had post-partum haemorrhage among which 40% were undiagnosed. The mean blood loss was 375 ml and post-partum anaemia rate was 44.5%. Conclusion: Anaemia on admission was related to socio-demographic characteristics. The frequencies of anaemia during labour, missed PPH and undiagnosed post-partum anaemia were high. Haemoglobin concentration on admission for labour and after delivery, reliable method to assess PPH should be mandatory, to better identify per and post-partum anemia, and the management of PPH, in low income environments.