Maternal Hemoglobin Concentration and Pregnancy Outcome in a Sample of Iraqi Women

Abstract

Aim of study: To analyze the maternal and perinatal outcome in varying degree of anemia and assess which
level of hemoglobin concentration has best pregnancy outcome in Iraqi women.
Patients and Method: A cohort study that was conducted at Al-Elwiya Maternity Teaching Hospital during
the period from 1st of Dec 2017 till end of Dec 2019. It included 500 pregnant women who were followed
up in labor until delivery and their maternal and perinatal outcome were noted. Hemoglobin and MCV of
each pregnant woman were measured at late second and third trimester. Hemoglobin groups were related
to the maternal characteristics, delivery characteristics and pregnancy outcome. The patients underwent a
complete blood count, blood film examination and hematocrit estimation.
Results: In this study, 33.4 % of study participants had mild anemia and 22% of them had normal hemoglobin
and MCV. Incidence of adverse perinatal outcome was 32.6% and adverse maternal outcome was 11.8%.
Maternal hemoglobin and MCV levels are significantly affected by mother’s age. Hemoglobin level is also
affected by parity while MCV level doesn’t. Low maternal hemoglobin was associated with increased risk
of poor birth outcomes including LBW, preterm birth and adverse maternal health outcomes, including
cesarean section and induction of labor.
Conclusion: Maternal anemia is strongly associated with several different types of maternal morbidity and
perinatal morbidity.