Effect Of Maternal Iron Deficiency Anemia On The Baby Anthropometric Measurements And Hematological Indices

Abstract

Anemia is one of the most prevalent nutritional deficiency problems afflicting pregnant women. Objective: - to evaluate the impact of maternal anemia on the baby anthropometric measurements (B. weight, length, head circumference) & biochemicals (HB, S. iron, S. ferritin). Prospective cross-sectional hospital based study was conducted on 200 Pregnant women attending labor room at AL-Jamhoria hospital from 1st  April to end of May 2012, aged between 18-42years old, who delivered vaginally. Maternal venous blood was extracted few hours before delivery for (Hb, S. iron, S. ferritin) and umbilical cord blood immediately after delivery for baby (Hb, s. ferritin, s. iron) and babies' anthropometric measurements (B. weight, Length, Head circumference) were taken. 85(42.5%) of total 200 pregnant women were anemic where (27%, 15.5%, 0%) with mild, moderate and severe anemia respectively, with hemoglobin levels (10- 10.9 g/dL, 7- 9.9 g/dL, ≤ 7 g/dL) respectively. 177 (88.5%) of them received iron supplement where (54%, 21.5%, 13%) among control, mild anemia & moderate anemic groups respectively, the mean maternal hemoglobin for control, mild anemic & moderate anemic groups were (12.15±0.82, 10.45±0.30, 8.97±0.74) respectively. The mean maternal iron level for control, mild anemic & moderate anemic groups were (86.35±38, 74.77±2.77, 59.38±35.6) respectively, the mean babies iron levels were (41.2± 1.38, 39.3± 1.38, 37.4± 1.34) for control, mild anemic & moderate anemic groups respectively. The mean maternal ferritin level for control, mild anemic, moderate anemic groups were  (40.65±1.88, 24.03±39.52, 13.79±13.37) respectively with mean babies ferritin level for control, mild anemic & moderate anemic groups were (260± 2.63, 321± 2.79, 195± 1.91) respectively. The Anemia is highly prevalent among pregnant women in our country and reaches 42.5% & have impact on the baby growth & hematological indices.