EFFECT OF MATERNAL HEMOGLOBIN LEVEL IN BIRTH WEIGHT OF NEONATES IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: Pregnant females are vulnerable to have anemia noticeable by hemoglobin level < 11 gr/dl. Anemia in the pregnant condition is related to increased rates of maternal and perinatal mortality, premature delivery, low birth weight, and other contrary results. This study aimed to explore the correlation between hemoglobin level and birth weight in pregnant women in rural and urban areas in Pakistan. 

Methods and Materials: A cross-sectional was conducted from January 2016 to March 2017, recruiting all pregnant women registered in hospitals in rural and urban areas of Pakistan. Hemoglobin level was obtained from the medical records and analyzed to correlate with birth weight. 

Results: In our study 3455 pregnant women were included. The mean maternal hemoglobin level was 10.897 0.916 gr/dl and birth weight was 2.9773 0.5323 kg. The proportion of maternal anemia and low birth weight was 55.10% and 16.43% respectively. Pearson correlation test showed r = 0.418 and p-value = 0.000 which was significant. 

Conclusions: There was a positive correlation between maternal hemoglobin level and birth weight of neonates.