Maternal Anemia during Pregnancy and Infant Birth Outcomes: A Prospective Cohort Study in Eastern Maharashtra, India

Anemia during pregnancy may be associated with poor infant outcomes, although its consequences may vary based on etiology and timing.

We examined the associations between anemia and anemia-related biomarkers during pregnancy and infant outcomes [birthweight, gestational age at birth, birthweight-for-gestational age percentile, and infant hemoglobin (Hb) at 6 wk of age] in Nagpur, Eastern Maharashtra, India.

We conducted a prospective cohort study of 200 pregnant women. In the first trimester, venous blood was collected to assess Hb via cyanmethemoglobin analysis, micronutrient status (ferritin, vitamin B12, and folate), and inflammation (C-reactive protein). Hb was also assessed in capillary samples using a hemoglobinometer in the first and third trimesters for mothers and at 6 wk for infants. Associations were assessed using generalized linear models controlling for background characteristics.

In the first trimester, high (compared with normal) venous Hb was significantly associated with lower gestational age at birth [β: -1.0 wk, 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.9, -0.2] and higher birthweight-for-gestational age percentile (β: 20.1, 95% CI: 9.0, 31.2). Mild anemia, moderate anemia, and high (compared with normal) capillary Hb were significantly associated with lower birthweight (β: -147.7 g, 95% CI: -243.4, -51.7; β: -77.7 g, 95% CI: -123.9, -31.4; and β: -236.0 g, 95% CI: -478.0, -48.1) and birthweight-for-gestational age percentile (β: -7.3, 95% CI: -13.7, -0.9; β: -8.4, 95% CI: -14.1, -2.8; and β: -8.9, 95% CI: -15.9, -1.9). Higher serum ferritin was significantly associated with higher birthweight (β: 2.0 g, 95% CI: 0.1, 3.9) and gestational age at birth (β: 0.01 wk, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.01). In the third trimester, mild anemia was significantly associated with lower gestational age at birth (β: -0.5 wk, 95% CI: -0.7, -0.3).

Associations between maternal anemia during pregnancy and infant outcomes were mixed indicating further studies are needed to better understand these relationships.