Maternal anemia and birth weight: A prospective cohort study

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Maternal anemia is a prevalent global health issue, particularly in low-resource settings.
• Low birth weight and insufficient birth weight are critical indicators of neonatal health and long-term development.
• Understanding the link between maternal nutritional status and infant birth weight is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between maternal anemia and the risk of low/insufficient birth weight in newborns.
• To quantify the risk of adverse birth outcomes associated with maternal anemia.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study involving pregnant women and their infants in northeast Brazil.
• Maternal anemia defined as hemoglobin < 11 g/dl.
• Low birth weight (<2500g) and insufficient birth weight (2500-2999g) were assessed. Relative Risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

Main Results:

• A total of 622 women were included in the final analysis.
• Maternal anemia was identified as a risk factor for low/insufficient birth weight.
• Adjusted Relative Risk (aRR) for low/insufficient birth weight due to maternal anemia was 1.38 (95% CI: 1.07 to 1.77).

Conclusions:

• Maternal anemia is significantly associated with low/insufficient birth weight.
• Addressing maternal anemia during pregnancy is essential for improving infant birth weight and overall gestational outcomes.