European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Anemia of varying severity in pregnancy has long been associated with feto-maternal complications when compared to non-anemic pregnant women worldwide. Complications can be in the antepartum, intrapartum or postpartum period along with its long-term impact on the maternal and fetal health.
Material and Methods: This was an observationalstudy done in the department of Obs.& Gynae in our hospital from September 2019 - September 2021 on 276 anemic women with varying severity of anemia and 200 non-anemic women. Severity of anemia and its association with feto-maternal complications in the antepartum and intrapartum period and its comparison to the non-anemic group was the major focus of this study.
Results: A total of 476 pregnant women were included in this analysis of which 276 women were anemic of varying severity viz. mild anemia 75(27.17%), moderate anemia 145(52.53%), severe 40(14.49%) and very severe 16(5.79%) while 200 women were non anemic. Antepartum and intrapartum maternal complications were more in anemic group and more so in patients with severe anemia. Though fetal complications in the antepartum and intrapartum period were more in anemic group as compared to non-anemic group, the overall adverse impact on the fetus was quite less even in the group of severe anemia patients.
Conclusion: Anemia in pregnancy is strongly associated with varying degree of feto-maternal complications depending upon the severity of anemia and certainly is a major cause of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality in the developing countries. Strengthening the health care system with timely provision for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of anemia can markedly decrease the disease burden and hence avoid feto-maternal complications related to it.