Low Maternal Hemoglobin Levels as Predictor for Low birth Weight and Preterm Delieveries

Anemia in women during pregnancy has always been considered an important medical condition especially in developing countries. In this particular village of Punjab, during the regular visit in community, was seen an unusual pattern of females with very low hemoglobin giving birth to normal birth weight babies.

To establish the relationship between maternal hemoglobin with birth weight and preterm delivery.

A retrospective Cohort study was conducted in a rural primary health center, Hambran Village, Ludhiana, Punjab. Historic cohort of all the women registered and delivered during April 2014 till July 2015 were included in the study. Basic demographic details were obtained from the health record at the center and women were followed up till they delivered.

The mean age of the study participants was 23.69 + 3.69 years. Out of 172 children born, 20 (11.6%) were low birth weight. Being primigravida, preterm birth and number of ANC visits less than 3 were significantly associated with low birth weight of children. A positive correlation was found between maternal hemoglobin and birth weight of the babies but it was statistically insignificant (R= 0.101, p>0.05) whereas a significant positive correlation was seen between maternal weight gain and birth weight, (R= 0.301, p<0.05).

The prevalence of anemia during pregnancy is quite high in the study. Primigravida, preterm birth and less number of ANC visits were found to be significant factors for low birth weight. These are the key mediating factors that need to be considered and targeted public health interventions are required to improve birth outcome of infants.