Study of Maternal and Perinatal outcome in moderate to severe degree iron deficiency anaemia in rural community

Background : Anaemia is the commonest medical disorder associated with pregnancy. It contributes to one fifth of the maternal deaths and large number of preterm deliveries and low birth weight babies in India. Objectives: To study maternal and perinatal outcome in pregnancies complicated by anaemia. Setting- Tertiary care teaching hospital in central India. Study Design: Prospective observational study. Material and Methods : Study was conducted for a period of two years from September 2012 to August 2014. A total of 1644 pregnant women were screened for evidence of iron deficiency anaemia. Maternal and perinatal outcome of women with moderate to severe anaemia was analyzed. Statistical analysis : was done by finding out percentages, proportions, Mean and Standard deviation (SD), Chi square test. Results : Prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women was 49.40%. Mild, moderate and severe degree of anaemia was seen in 19.46%, 25.06% and 04.86% cases respectively. The incidence of preterm delivery and low birth weight babies was two times more than women with normal haemoglobin values. The perinatal mortality and morbidity among babies born to anaemic women was high. There was no maternal mortality in the present study. Conclusion : The study revealed that anaemic women are more prone for life threatening obstetric and medical complications, preterm labour, low birth weight babies and perinatal morbidity and mortality., Strengthening the peripheral health care delivery system, regular antenatal care, high risk pregnancy identification, oral and parenteral iron therapy and institutional deliveries can reduce the incidence of anaemia and the resultant morbidity and mortality.