Outcome of newborns born to anaemic mother in a rural tertiary care hospital, comparative study

Background: Anemia is one of the most common nutritional deficiency issues in pregnant women. Maternal anemia has been linked (IUGR), LBW, and (PPH). Prematurity, poor Apgar scores, and intrauterine foetal mortality are more likely in anemic pregnant women than in nonanemic pregnant women.5 Maternal anemia increases the odds of preterm delivery and low birth weight of the newborns, which increases foetal morbidity and death.Hence, this study was aimed to assess neonatal outcomes among babies born to anemic mothers in comparison to Non-anemic and to find the correlation between maternal and neonatal hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels. Methods: The records of 100 anemic and 30 non anemic mothers ,and newborns over a period of one year (October 2020 to April 2021) were reviewed, and a statistical comparison of various variables were made. Results: Pre-term birth was significantly more among severe anemia compared to mild and moderate anemia. Low birth weight was significantly more among subjects with severe anemia (81.8%) compared to moderate anemia (59.2%) which was significantly more than mild anemia (37.5%). APGAR score at 1 minute < 7 was significantly more among severe anemia (100.0%) compared to moderate anemia (61.2%) which was significantly more than mild anemia (82.5%). APGAR score at 5 minutes < 7 was significantly more among severe anemia (100.0%) compared to moderate and mild anemia (2.5% and 6.1% respectively).There was a significantly positive association of maternal and newborn hemoglobin levels.There was a significantly positive association of maternal and newborn Ferritin levels.Antenatal visits >3 were significantly more among Non-Anemic mothers compared to Anemic mothers.The mean Maternal Hb, Maternal Ferritin, Hb of newborn and Serum Ferritin of Newborn was significantly more among Non-Anemic group compared to Anemic group. Conclusion: Anaemia in pregnancy definitely has a very poor outcome on the newborn with increase in severity of anaemia in terms of low birth weight, poor APGAR score.