Impact of anemia in pregnant women on the neonatal conditions

Abstract

BACKGROUND: True iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women has been a pressing obstetric issue for many years and is one of the most common complications of pregnancy in the world, particularly in developing countries. AIM: The aim of the study was to study the condition of neonates born to women with iron deficiency anemia. METHODS: The retrospective analysis method was used to assess 230 patient medical files in the maternity and pregnancy pathology departments. The patients were divided into 2 groups: 1-patients suffering from iron deficiency anemia (n=113), 2-patients without iron deficiency anemia (n=117).The diagnosis of true iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women was established according to the WHO classification based on the hemogram and indices of transport iron content, total serum iron-binding capacity, and the concentration of ferritin in the blood. The condition of a child was assessed on the basis of the APGAR scale, height and weight at birth, and the presence of diagnosed pathology at birth. RESULTS: The mass-growth index in the group of neonates born to mothers with anemia statistically was significantly lower compared to the control group. The proportion of neonates with hypotrophy in the group born to mothers with anemia statistically was significantly higher. Body length and birth condition indices assessed according to the APGAR scale were virtually identical across the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Anemia during pregnancy affects the trophism of a fetus, which is largely reflected in the health of neonates. Treating maternal anemia is important to prevent or decrease the incidence of underweight in infants at birth.