Effect of Maternal Anemia on Birth Weight among Newborns
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51985/Keywords:
Anemia, low birth weight, pregnancyAbstract
Objectives: To evaluate the association between maternal anemia and low birth weight in newborn at SITH, Lodhran. Study design & settings: Prospective cohort study at Department of Pediatrics nursery and gynae and obs department at Shahida Islam Teaching Hospital, Lodhran.
Materials & Methods: Pregnant women of child bearing age between 18 and 40 years with singleton pregnancies confirmed via ultrasound were included. Those who were pregnant with hemoglobinopathies, multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.), preterm pregnancy, pregnant and had such conditions as GDM, PIH, preeclampsia were excluded. Two groups of women will be divided as having been exposed and not being so. Exposed group (Anemic mothers): Hemoglobin level of less than 11 g/dL in pregnant women, as tested during their third trimester. Unexposed group (non-anemic mothers): Hemoglobin level of =11 g/dL in pregnant women, as assessed during their third trimester. The weight of babies at the time of birth was determined within 30 minutes of birth using a standard calibrated digital weighing scale, and noted in grams.
Results: Low weight of babies at birth was observed in 24(48.0%) women and was anaemic as compared to 08 (16.0%) women who were non-anaemic thus the p-value of 0.002 and relative risk of 3.00 which is noticeable and represents positive relationship of maternal anemia and low weight of babies in our study.
Conclusion: Following findings carried in the study, the likelihood of anemic women bearing low birth weight babies is greater than non-anemic women.
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