Anemia in pregnant women: findings from Kuwait birth cohort study

Anemia is the most common hematologic disorder in pregnancy, affecting over one-third of pregnant women globally. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anemia in pregnant women and its associated factors in the Kuwait Birth Cohort study.

The Kuwait birth cohort (n = 1,108) was a prospective study in which pregnant women were recruited during their second or third trimester. Data were collected through personal interviews during antenatal care visits, including data on sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Blood samples were analyzed under strict quality control to measure various laboratory indicators. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin (Hb) < 110 g/L. Predictors of anemia were categorized as underlying or direct factors, and logistic regression models were used to investigate their association with anemia.

The prevalence of anemia was 28.16% (95% CI:25.53-30.91%), with 8.75% of women experiencing moderate anemia and 19.40% mild anemia. No cases of severe anemia were observed. Multivariable analysis identified current iron supplement use, (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 0.52, 95%CI:0.28-0.99; p = 0.049), vitamin D status (sufficient vs. insufficient/deficient), (AOR 0.63, 95%CI:0.43-0.92; p = 0.018), iron levels (p < 0.001), and ferritin levels (p < 0.001) as factors significantly associated with anemia.

Anemia in pregnant women in Kuwait represents a mild to moderate public health concern, primarily driven by iron deficiency. The estimated prevalence of anemia is influenced by the Hb threshold used to define anemia, a topic currently subject to vigorous debate. Our findings suggest that improved screening for iron deficiency during pregnancy may further reduce anemia in pregnant women in Kuwait.