Maternal Serum Hemoglobin Levels Relative to Anemia Interventions in the COVID-19 Era: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract: In this literature review, we examined the impact of maternal anemia interventions on serum hemoglobin levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. We identified studies from various databases, spanning January 2020 to December 2022, and performed statistical analysis using Rev-Man 5.4.1 and JASP 0.9.95.4.0 softwares, employing both random and fixed effect models. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochran Q statistic and Higgins test. Overall, maternal anemia interventions significantly improved serum hemoglobin levels, with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of 0.93 (95% CI: 0.57, 1.30). Specific intervention effects included dietary iron supplements (SMD 1.16; 95% CI: –0.97, 3.28), educational information (SMD 0.75; 95% CI: 0.12, 1.37), intravenous ferric carboxyl-maltose (SMD 1.33; 95% CI: 0.28, 2.38), intravenous iron sucrose (SMD 0.82; 95% CI: 0.56, 1.09), and herbal substances (SMD 0.42; 95% CI: 0.24, 0.61). Although parenteral (injected) maternal anemia interventions marginally improved serum hemoglobin levels, multifaceted randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are essential to validate these findings.