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. 2021 Oct;24(15):5090-5100.
doi: 10.1017/S136898002100166X. Epub 2021 Apr 16.

Iron status in late pregnancy is inversely associated with birth weight in Colombia

Alejandra Puerto  1   2 , Annabelle Trojan  2 , Nelson R Alvis-Zakzuk  1 , Rossana López-Saleme  2 , Francisco Edna-Estrada  3 , Alvaro Alvarez  2 , Nelson Alvis-Guzman  1   2   4 , Josefina Zakzuk  1   2
Affiliations

Iron status in late pregnancy is inversely associated with birth weight in Colombia

Alejandra Puerto et al. Public Health Nutr. 2021 Oct.

Abstract

Objective: Gestational anaemia (GA) is common in developing countries. This study assessed the relationship of late GA and negative perinatal outcomes in participants recruited in a reference maternity unit of the Caribbean region of Colombia.

Design: Prospective analytical birth cohort study. Maternal Hb and serum ferritin (SF) levels were measured. GA was defined as Hb levels <6·82 mmol/l (<11 g/dl), SF depletion as SF levels <12 µg/l. Birth outcomes such as low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth (PB) and small for gestational age (SGA) were examined.

Setting: Mothers in the first stage of labour, living in urban or rural areas of Bolívar, were enrolled in an obstetrical centre located in Cartagena, Colombia. Blood and stool samples were taken prior delivery. Maternal blood count, SF levels and infant anthropometric data were recorded for analysis.

Participants: 1218 pregnant women aged 18-42 years and their newborns.

Results: Prevalence of GA and SF depletion was 41·6 % and 41·1 %, respectively. GA was positively associated with poverty-related sociodemographic conditions. Prenatal care attendance lowered the risk of PB, LBW and SGA. Birth weight was inversely associated with Hb levels, observing a -36·8 g decrease in newborn weight per 0·62 mmol/l (or 1 g/dl) of maternal Hb. SF depletion, but not anaemia, was associated with PB. SGA outcome showed a significant association with anaemia, but not a significant relationship with SF depletion.

Conclusions: Birth weight and other-related perinatal outcomes are negatively associated with Hb and SF depletion. Prenatal care attendance reduced the risk of negative birth outcomes.

Keywords: Anaemia; Birth outcomes; Colombia; Iron deficiency; Iron status; Low birth weight; Pregnancy.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Correlogram of maternal variables and birth outcomes. The scale indicates the Spearman coefficient (Rho) from −1 to 1. Positive correlations are indicated in the blue scale, and inverse correlations are indicated in the orange scale. *Significant correlations (P < 0·05)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Forest plot for prenatal care attendance and the risk of gestational anaemia
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Relationship between birth weight and Hb. Dots and regression lines are coloured to discriminate between term (black) and preterm (grey) neonates
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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