Prevalence and effects of placental anemia on birthweight and neonatal health in Nigeria

Background: Placental anemia (PlAn) relates to a deficiency in red blood cells or hemoglobin in the placenta, an indicator of maternal anemia impacting maternal and fetal health. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PlAn and the association between PlAn and birth anthropometric indices—such as birthweight, birth length, and birth head circumference—in the presence of various degrees of PlAn. Materials and methods: Complete data on socio-demographic characteristics, ante-natal history, outcome of conception, placental and cord blood hemogram, and malaria parasitemia were recorded and analyzed among 203 pregnant women. Birth anthropometry—birthweight, birth length, and birth head circumference—were measured and recorded. Data were analyzed using NCSS and STATA. Results: Placental anemia was prevalent in 72 (35.5%) subjects in their 1st (23, 31.9%), 2nd (23, 31.9%), and ≥3rd (26, 36.2%) pregnancies, as well as among those in the age group of 36–30 years (25, 34.7%), those with a BMI of 25.0–30.0 kg/m2 (27, 37.5%), and in 38 subjects (48.6%) who experienced fever during pregnancy. Mild, moderate, and severe PlAn were most prevalent in ≥3rd (51.2%), 2nd (47.4%), and 1st (45.0%) pregnancies, respectively. Mean birthweights (kg) in the ≥3rd pregnancy without (3.5 ± 0.5) and with (3.1 ± 0.4) PlAn varied significantly (t-statistics = 2.05, p-value = 0.04). The prevalence of placental malaria was low (3.94%). Discussion: In this study, about 4 in 10 pregnant women presented with Placental anemia, especially those in their ≥3rd pregnancy, those who presented as being overweight and those who had fever during their pregnancy. Placental anemia should be considered as a serious public health burden. Conclusions: Women in their 1st or 2nd pregnancies were most likely to suffer severe and moderate PlAn, respectively. Mean birthweight among women in ≥3rd pregnancy was significantly different from that of women in their 1st pregnancy regardless of PlAn status.