Anemia in Pregnancy - Is it all Iron Deficiency?

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Hematology
• Public Health

Background:

• Anemia in pregnancy is a significant global health issue, particularly in low-resource settings.
• Eastern India has limited data on anemia prevalence and its determinants among pregnant women.
• Iron deficiency anemia is a common cause, but other factors like thalassemia also contribute.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence and etiological factors of anemia in pregnant women in an urban population of Eastern India.
• To identify specific risk groups, such as adolescent and primigravid mothers.
• To inform public health strategies for anemia control.

Main Methods:

• An observational, cross-sectional study conducted over 11.5 years (June 2010 - December 2021) at Lady Dufferin Hospital, Kolkata.
• Inclusion of 42,349 antenatal mothers.
• Diagnostic tests included complete hemogram, HPLC, serum ferritin, vitamin B12, and folate levels.

Main Results:

• Anemia prevalence was 44.16% (18,703/42,349), with 1.5% severe, 35.46% moderate, and 63.02% mild anemia.
• Teenage mothers (59.78%) and primigravidas (63.02%) showed higher anemia rates.
• Low serum ferritin (<30ug/dl) was observed in 52.3% of anemic mothers; 9.5% were thalassemia carriers.

Conclusions:

• Despite being an urban population, anemia prevalence in this study exceeds global standards.
• Adolescent and young pregnant women, especially primigravidas, are at higher risk.
• Enhanced anemia control programs and public awareness campaigns are essential to mitigate this public health burden.