MATERNAL ANEMIA IN PREGNANCY AND ITS EFFECT ON PLACENTAL FUNCTION AND NEONATAL IRON STORES: A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS
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Keywords
Maternal anemia, pregnancy, placental function, neonatal iron stores, fetal development, birth outcomes, iron deficiency, neonatal anemia
Abstract
Background: Maternal anemia, mainly due to iron deficiency, is a common pregnancy complication that can impact both placental function and neonatal health. The placenta plays a crucial role in transferring oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the fetus, and any dysfunction can lead to fetal growth restriction and poor neonatal iron reserves. Understanding the extent of these effects is essential for improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes. This study aimed to assess the effects of maternal anemia on placental function and neonatal iron stores by comparing hematological parameters, placental characteristics, and neonatal outcomes ‘between anemic and non-anemic pregnant women’.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Rehman Medical Institute, Peshawar, from March 2023 to March 2024. ‘A total of 91 pregnant women in their third trimester were enrolled, with 45 classified as anemic (hemoglobin <11 g/dL) and 46 as non-anemic’. ‘Maternal blood samples were analyzed for hemoglobin, serum ferritin, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and transferrin saturation’. Placental parameters were examined post-delivery, including weight, thickness, villous vascularity, and iron transporter expression. Neonatal outcomes, such as birth weight, Apgar scores, and cord blood hemoglobin and ferritin levels, were also recorded. Statistical comparisons between groups were conducted using SPSS version 26, with a p-value of <0.05 considered significant.
Results: Anemic mothers had significantly ‘lower hemoglobin (p<0.001) and serum ferritin levels (p<0.001) than non-anemic mothers’. Placental weight and efficiency were reduced in the anemic group (p=0.03, p=0.01), and histological examination revealed lower villous vascularity. ‘Neonates born to anemic mothers had significantly lower birth weights (p=0.02), cord blood hemoglobin (p<0.001), and ferritin levels (p<0.001), increasing their risk of neonatal anemia’.
Conclusion: Maternal anemia adversely affects placental function and neonatal iron stores, potentially leading to fetal growth restriction and early-life anemia. These findings highlight the importance of early detection and management of maternal anemia to improve pregnancy outcomes. Routine iron supplementation and enhanced prenatal care could help mitigate these risks and support better neonatal health.
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Dr Sobia Azeem Siddiqui
Senior Registrar, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Rehman Medical College and Institute, Peshawar, Pakistan
Dr Lubna Begum
Consultant Gynaecologist, Health Department, Peshawar, Pakistan
Dr Rana Bibi
Consultant Gynaecologist, Health Department, Peshawar, Pakistan
Dr Sumbleen Majid Ali
Consultant Dermatologist and Family Physician, Life Care International Hospital, Islamabad and NIRM Islamabad, Pakistan
Dr Muhammad Rafique Tagar
Associate Professor of Biochemistry, Bibi Aseefa Dental College, SMBB Medical University, Larkana, Pakistan
Dr Javaid Hassan6
Assistant Professor, Kabir Medical College, Gandhara University, Peshawar, Pakistan