FETOMATERNAL OUTCOME IN ANEMIC PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Anaemia during pregnancy remains an important public health concern, particularly in developing 
countries. Reduced maternal haemoglobin concentration may lead to fatigue, poor tolerance to blood loss, increased 
obstetric morbidity, impaired fetal growth, preterm birth, and increased neonatal care requirement. 
Aim: To evaluate the maternal and perinatal outcomes among pregnant women diagnosed with anaemia during 
pregnancy. 
Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology during 
2022 among 130 pregnant women diagnosed with anaemia. Pregnant women with haemoglobin levels below 11 g/dL 
after 20 weeks of gestation were included. Detailed clinical history, severity of anaemia, clinical presentation, maternal 
complications, and neonatal outcomes were recorded. Maternal outcomes included mode of delivery, postpartum 
hemorrhage, blood transfusion requirement, preterm labor, and maternal intensive care unit admission. Perinatal 
outcomes included birth weight, preterm birth, APGAR score, neonatal intensive care unit admission, and perinatal 
mortality. 
Results: The mean maternal age was 24.9 ± 4.6 years. The majority of patients belonged to the 21–30-year age group. 
Moderate anaemia was the most common category, observed in 70 (53.8%) patients. Pallor and fatigue were the 
predominant clinical features. Preterm labor was the most frequently observed maternal complication, while low birth 
weight was the most common adverse perinatal outcome. Severe anaemia demonstrated significant association with 
cesarean section, preterm delivery, low birth weight, neonatal intensive care unit admission, and postpartum 
hemorrhage. 
Conclusion: Anaemia during pregnancy is associated with important maternal and neonatal complications, particularly 
when severe. Early antenatal identification, appropriate iron therapy, nutritional counselling, regular monitoring, and 
timely management of severe anaemia are essential to improve fetomaternal outcomes.