Correlation Between Iron Deficiency Anemia In First Trimester And Maternal-Fetal Outcomes: A Prospective Observational Study

Introduction: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in early pregnancy contributes nearly 40%.The present study evaluated the association between iron deficiency anemia in the first trimester and maternal-fetal outcomes in a tertiary care setting.Methodology: A prospective observation study of 385 first-trimester pregnant women was held for 6 months.The enrolled participants were divided into two groups-anemic (n=198) and non-anemic (n=187)-according to hemoglobin level and iron studies.Complete blood count, serum ferritin, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity, and transferrin saturation were assessed during enrollment.A record of maternal complications, delivery outcomes, and neonatal parameters was made through the study. Results:The prevalence of IDA among study participants was 51.4%.Anemic women revealed a significant increase in the proportion of preeclampsia (21.2% vs 12.8%, p=0.026),PROM (16.2% vs 9.6%, p=0.048), and emergency cesarean sections (26.3% vs 17.1%, p=0.028).In addition, there were higher preterm births (19.2% vs 11.8%, p=0.042), low birth weight (22.7% vs 13.9%, p=0.024), and higher numbers of NICU admissions (17.2% vs 10.7%, p=0.036) in the anemic group.Maternal effects differ significantly in neonatal anthropometric measurements between the two groups, with lower mean birth weight (2.68 0.42 kg vs 2.94 0.38 kg, p=0.002) in infants born to anemic mothers.Conclusion: Iron deficiency anemia in the first trimester relates directly to negative maternal and fetal outcomes, making continuous screening and early intervention strategies highly necessary for improved pregnancy outcomes.