Maternal Hemoglobin Levels during Pregnancy and their Association with Birth Weight of Neonates

Anemia in pregnancy is associated with
increased rates of maternal and perinatal
mortality, premature delivery, low birth
weight, and other adverse outcomes
Materials and Methods
A prospective study was conducted on
1405 Iranian pregnant women who
delivered during 2015. Blood was
collected from all the subjects to measure
the hemoglobin (Hb) during 16-19 weeks,
22-24 weeks, and 34-36 weeks of
gestation. According to the level of
hemoglobin, it is divided into 4 groups.
Group 1; Hb > 10.1 gm/100ml (control
group), Group 2; Hb= 8.1-10 gm/100ml
(mild anemia) Group 3; Hb= 6.5-8
gm/100ml (moderate anemia) Group 4; Hb
<6.5 gm/100ml (severe anemia). After
delivery, the neonates were weighted
within 24 hours after birth. Maternal
hemoglobin and birth weights were
compared.
Results
The anemia prevalence was 20.2%
(Hb<10g/dl). Out of them, 16.2 %
hadmoderate anemia (Hb=6.5-8 g/dl) and
83.8% had mild anemia (Hb=8.1-10 g/dl).
Severe anemia did not detect in pregnant
women. The hemoglobin levels in non
anemic group showed a drop in the second
trimester. Pregnant women with
hemoglobin less than 10 g/dl, considered
as anemic gave birth to neonates with birth
weight of 2.6kg, while pregnant women
with higher hemoglobin level (>10 g/dl),
considered as normal gave birth to heavier
and normal babies (3.3 kg). The severity of
anemia during three trimesters was closely
associated with birth weight of newborns.
Conclusion
The low hemoglobin values during three
trimesters of pregnancy were associated
with low birth weight in Iran. The anemia
can lead to intra uterine growth
retardation