Anemia in Pregnancy: Effects on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes at a University Hospital in Riyadh

Abstract

Background: Anemia in pregnancy has a number of adverse effects. This study aims to estimate anemia prevalence in pregnant women and examine the associations between maternal anemia with maternal characteristics, maternal outcomes during pregnancy and delivery, and neonatal outcomes at a university hospital in Riyadh.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken among 400 women who delivered at the hospital. Data were collected through a data extraction sheet. Multivariate analysis was adopted according to the results of univariate analysis.

Results: Overall anemia prevalence was 39% (including 21% moderate anemia and 18% mild anemia); the rest, 61%, were normal. Non-intake of intravenous iron was more common among mothers with mild anemia (65.3%) compared to normal and moderately anemic (p=0.001). Significant differences between groups were found in relation to maternal outcomes such as pregnancy-induced hypertension (p=0.019), antepartum hemorrhage (p=0.001), postpartum hemorrhage (p=0.002), and non-intake of blood transfusion during pregnancy (p=0.012) and emergency cesarean section (p=0.017). Neonatal outcomes, including congenital malformations (p=0.003) and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) (p<0.001), were higher in mildly anemic mothers. Statistically significant relationships were found between anemia in pregnancy and postpartum hemorrhage (odds ratio [OR] = 3.61; confidence interval [CI] 1.52-8.58; p=0.004), congenital malformations (OR = 5.09; CI 1.81-14.29; p=0.002), NICU admissions (OR=8.32; CI 2.77-24.96; p=0.001), and low birth weight (LBW; OR=1.833; CI 1.021-3.294; p=0.042).

Conclusions: The study highlights the association of maternal anemia with adverse events in mothers, such as postpartum hemorrhage. Among neonates, congenital malformations, low birth weight, and higher admissions to the NICU have been reported.

Keywords: anemia; congenital malformations; low birthweight; postpartum hemorrhage; pregnancy complications.