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Maternal Iron Deficiency Anemia Affects Fetal Growth, Maturity and Level of Iron in India : A Cohort Study

Author(s):

Anubha Bajpai, Rekha Devi, Alka Rai, Rinki Kumari and Dubey GP*

Background and objective: Iron Deficiency Anemia(IDA) in pregnant females might risk their infant's iron stores, leading to anemia later in their newborn life. Therefore, this present study aims to investigate the effect of maternal anemia on the Hemoglobin (Hb) and iron stores of newborns and whether maternal anemia and iron stores influence fetal development.

Methods: This present cohort study enrolled 192 mothers and newborn couples in which 103 term infants were born to anemic mothers (Group-I), and 89 were born to nonanemic mothers (Group-II). Hb and Ferritin (Fe) levels in cord blood were measured in both groups of neonates at delivery and 14 weeks after birth using RIA and HPLC, respectively, and the data were analyzed using SPSS-17.0.

Result: The results showed that the mean value of Hb and Ferritin (Fe) levels in the blood of new-borns of Group-I was significantly lower (16.28 ± 0.74 and 135.23 ± 21.07) than those in Group II (17.69 ± 0.89 and 160.23 ± 19.57). At 14 weeks, the mean Hb and Fe levels in Group-I were significantly lower(11.68 ± 0.53 and 55.26 ± 10.23) than those in Group II (13.11 ± 0.89 and 64.46 ± 10.91). During delivery and 14 weeks following birth, a strong link existed between the mother and new-borns Hb and Fe levels.

Conclusion and global implementation: The present study concluded that maternal iron insufficiency might affect the iron status of newborns, and maternal Fe levels should be assessed to address undetected ID in the fetus. Immediate steps should be taken to prevent IDA in newborns. The findings of this study may have global implications for prenatal care and interventions to prevent iron deficiency anemia in infants.


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Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research The Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research is a bi-monthly multidisciplinary medical journal.
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