Anemia in Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Study in Southwest Iran

Abstract

Background: Anemia is prevalent among pregnant women and may result from an inadequate diet, increased iron demand, and inflammation. During pregnancy, anemia can cause preterm birth, low birth weight, and increased postpartum bleeding. Objectives: Given the importance of anemia during pregnancy, this study was designed to investigate the prevalence of anemia in the first and third trimesters. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 599 pregnant women who attended health care centers affiliated with Dezful University of Medical Sciences in 2021. Their information was recorded in the Integrated Health System. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 24, with the significance level set at P < 0.05. Results: A total of 599 pregnant women aged 15 - 36 years, with a mean age of 24 ± 4 years, were enrolled. Anemia was detected in 85 women (14.2%) in the first trimester and 289 women (48.3%) in the third trimester. Overall, 48.3% of the cases had moderate (7.2%) or mild (41.1%) and none of them had sever anemia. The mean hemoglobin level was 11.7 ± 2.6 g/dL and 10.2 ± 1.3 g/dL in the first and third trimesters respectiveley. There was a significant difference in anemia prevalence between the trimesters (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Given the high prevalence of anemia among pregnant women and the possibility that it may result from insufficient iron intake or immunologic iron trapping due to inflammation, special attention during pregnancy to an appropriate diet, iron supplementation, and assessment of iron trapping through hepcidin measurement is recommended.