Clinical Spectrum of Anemia in Early Pregnancy at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Anemia in pregnant women is significant health problem in India. Etiology is varied and diagnosis and management of anemia in pregnancy is challenging due to physiological changes in pregnancy. Aims and Objectives: (1). To categorize anemia in early pregnancy. (2) To study the severity of anemia in early pregnancy. Methods: Women in early pregnancy visiting Cheluvamba Hospital OPD, Mysuru with hemoglobin < 11 g% were included in study from December 2023 to May 2024. Demographic details, details of clinical history and anemia work up were entered. Results: 100 pregnant women were diagnosed to have anemia in early pregnancy. Mean age was 22.6 years. Normocytic normochromic anemia was seen in 74% of pregnant women followed by microcytic hypochromic anemia (23%) and dimorphic anemia (3%). 4 pregnant women had beta thalassemia trait followed by1 case each of HPFH or double heterozygous for HPFH and delta beta thalassemia, Hb D with Hb S trait and Hb E trait. Mean Hemoglobin level (8.5g% vs. 9.7g%), MCV (67.6 vs. 78.4) and MCH (19.2 vs. 27.4) was significantly less in pregnant women with hemoglobinopathy as compared to pregnant women without hemoglobinopathy p < 0.002, p < 0.023 and p < 0.039 respectively). Conclusion: In addition to nutritional anemia, thalassemia poses a major challenge in pregnant women. Screening of pregnant women for thalassemia should be incorporated in national health program to prevent morbidity and mortality associated with thalassemia.