Maternal Anemia and Offspring Outcomes in India: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Maternal and Child Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Anemia poses a global health challenge, disproportionately affecting women and children.
• Pregnancy-related anemia is linked to adverse maternal and offspring outcomes.
• India faces a high prevalence of anemia, making it a critical national health concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of anemia in pregnant women across India.
• To identify and analyze offspring outcomes associated with maternal anemia in India.
• To pinpoint knowledge gaps in the current research landscape.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted across four major databases (Scopus, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science).
• Studies published between 1990 and 2023 in English, focusing on maternal anemia in India, were included.
• The review adhered to the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-S) guidelines.

Main Results:

• Fifteen studies were included, revealing a maternal anemia prevalence between 21.26% and 90.46%.
• Thirty-seven distinct offspring outcomes were examined for their association with maternal anemia.
• Offspring birthweight emerged as the most frequently reported outcome linked to maternal anemia.

Conclusions:

• Maternal anemia during pregnancy is associated with negative physical and cognitive development in Indian children.
• The long-term persistence of these adverse effects into adolescence and adulthood requires further investigation.
• Additional research is essential for developing effective health interventions to mitigate the long-term consequences of maternal anemia.