Background: Maternal anemia is a pervasive public health challenge in India, significantly contributing to maternal and perinatal morbidity. While the prevalence is well-documented, the direct correlation between the severity of maternal anemia and specific neonatal anthropometric and clinical outcomes requires continuous regional assessment.
Objective: To estimate the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women at a tertiary care center in Mangalore and to evaluate its association with neonatal outcomes, specifically birth weight, gestational age, APGAR scores, and NICU admissions.
Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at Kanachur Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalore, from January 2023 to December 2023. A total of 300 pregnant women delivering at the institution were enrolled. Participants were stratified based on hemoglobin (Hb) levels into non-anemic (Hb: 11 g/dL) and anemic groups (Hb < 11 g/dL), with further subclassifications for severity (Mild, Moderate, Severe). Maternal demographics and neonatal outcomes were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t-test, Chi-square test, and regression analysis.
Results: The prevalence of anemia in the study population was 52.0% (n=156). Moderate anemia was the most common subtype (48.7% of anemic cases). Neonates born to anemic mothers had significantly lower mean birth weights (2.68 pm 0.45 kg vs. 2.95 pm 0.38 kg; p< 0.001) and lower gestational ages (37.8 pm 1.4 weeks vs. 38.9 ±1.1 weeks; p<0.001). The incidence of Low Birth Weight (LBW) was 28.2% in the anemic group compared to 8.3% in the non-anemic group (p<0.001). NICU admission rates were significantly higher among neonates of mothers with severe anemia.
Conclusion: Maternal anemia remains a significant risk factor for adverse neonatal outcomes, including low birth weight and preterm delivery. Early detection and rigorous management of antenatal anemia are imperative to improve neonatal health indices in this region.
International Journal of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology
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