Incidence Prevalence Impact and Outcomes of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnant Women: A Prospective Study

ABSTRACT

Background:

“Iron deficiency anemia (IDA)” is a common condition during pregnancy, which contributes to several adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight. To check the prevalence of IDA in pregnancy and to identify its influence on obstetrics outcomes, this research was planned.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was carried out in 500 pregnant women who were in their second and third trimesters. Outcomes measured were hemoglobin levels, serum ferritin, and pregnancy outcomes.

Results:

The prevalence of IDA in the study was 35%. Women with IDA had significantly greater rates of preterm births and low birth weight infants. Mean hemoglobin levels were significantly lower in the IDA group.

Conclusion:

IDA is prevalent among pregnant women and has significant implications for pregnancy outcomes, particularly in terms of preterm delivery and low birth weight. Early detection and management of IDA can improve maternal and fetal health.

INTRODUCTION

IDA is the most common form of nutritional deficiencies impacting many expectant mothers around the world. The physiological changes that occur during pregnancy, particularly the increased demand for iron to support fetal development and increased blood volume, exacerbate the risk of developing IDA.[1] Anemia in pregnancy has been associated with a variety of maternal and fetal complications, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and increased neonatal morbidity.[2] The prevalence of IDA is influenced by factors, such as socioeconomic status, dietary intake, and access to health care, with higher rates observed in developing countries.[3] IDA not only affects maternal health but also compromises fetal development by limiting oxygen supply, essential for fetal growth and development.[4,5] A retrospective and inferential cross-sectional study was carried out on the prevalence of anemia, together with its association with pregnancy outcomes, including puerperal hemoglobin concentration, preterm birth, and low weight at birth.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study that included 500 pregnant women with second to third trimester. The place of data collection was an antenatal care unit, and the period over which the data were collected was six months. For those reasons, the study did not include women with conditions like thalassemia or who were taking iron supplements before pregnancy. The primary parameters investigated were hemoglobin level (g/dL), iron status (serum ferritin), and dietary intakes. The pregnancy outcomes, as measured by birth weight and gestational age at delivery, of these pregnancies were recorded. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 25, where Chi-square tests and independent t-tests were used to test the association of IDA with pregnancy outcomes. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

RESULTS

The prevalence of IDA in the study group was found to be 35%. Among the IDA group, the mean hemoglobin level was 9.5 g/dL vs. 11.5 g/dL in nonanemic women (P = 0.001). Also, serum ferritin levels were significantly lower in the IDA group. Pregnant women with IDA are at increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes—preterm birth and low birth weight infants have been reported. Twenty percent of the IDA women delivered preterm compared to 10% in the non-IDA group (P = 0.02), whereas 18% of the IDA women had low birth weight infants, and in contrast, only 9% for the non-IDA group were low birth weight infants (P = 0.04) [Table 1].

Table 1.

Pregnancy outcomes in women with IDA vs. non-IDA

Outcome	IDA Group (%)	Non-IDA Group (%)	P
Preterm birth	20	10	0.02
Low birth weight	18	9	0.04
Mean hemoglobin (g/dL)	9.5	11.5	0.001

The statistical findings are summarized in Table 1, which illustrates the comparison of pregnancy outcomes between the IDA and non-IDA groups. In addition, Table 2 provides a breakdown of hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels between the two groups. These findings indicate a clear association between IDA and adverse pregnancy outcomes [Table 2].

Table 2.

Hemoglobin and ferritin levels in IDA vs. non-IDA women

Parameter	IDA Group	Non-IDA Group	P
Hemoglobin (g/dL)	9.5±0.5	11.5±0.4	0.001
Serum ferritin (ng/mL)	20±5	35±7	0.001

DISCUSSION

IDA is a prevalent concern among pregnant women, particularly in developing regions where access to adequate nutrition and health care is limited. The findings from this study are consistent with previous research, indicating that IDA is associated with a higher risk of preterm birth and low birth weight.[6] Maternal anemia may impair fetal oxygenation, resulting in restricted fetal growth and increased rates of complications, such as preterm birth and low birth weight.[7,8] A study by Basu et al.[6] also demonstrated the detrimental effects of maternal anemia on fetal neural development, further supporting the need for early intervention in anemic pregnant women.

The results of this study align with those of Derman et al.,[4] who reported that intravenous iron supplementation was more effective than oral iron in reducing anemia and preventing low birth weight. Given the significant prevalence of IDA among pregnant women in this study (35%), it is critical to implement routine screening for anemia during antenatal care visits. Strategies to improve maternal iron status, including dietary modifications and appropriate supplementation, are essential to mitigating the risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes.[4,8,9]

Furthermore, the association between IDA and poor pregnancy outcomes underscores the importance of early detection and intervention. The findings of this study suggest that addressing IDA through effective treatment strategies could significantly reduce the rates of preterm birth and low birth weight, improving overall maternal and neonatal health. Future research should explore the long-term impact of IDA on child development, as well as the potential benefits of different iron supplementation regimens.

CONCLUSION

IDA remains a prevalent issue among pregnant women, significantly affecting pregnancy outcomes. This study demonstrates that IDA is associated with increased risks of preterm birth and low birth weight. Early detection, combined with appropriate management strategies, can help improve both maternal and neonatal outcomes, emphasizing the need for routine screening and intervention during pregnancy.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Funding Statement

Nil.