The effect of maternal anemia on anthropometric measurements of newborns

Abstract

To determine the effect of maternal anemia on anthropometric measurements of newborns, this study was performed on 60 women aged 18-43 years, who attending  at obstetrics department in Brack Hospital and Sebha Medical Centre in 6 Feb. to 7 Mar. 2011. EDTA maternal blood samples and 60 cord blood samples were collected for complete blood count  and the newborn anthropometric measurements (height, weight, head, chest circumference) were recorded for 61 babies(one delivery was twin).  Of 60 pregnant women, hemoglobin concentration was 9.98± 1.56g/ dl, 14(23.3%) were non anemic, 46(76.7%) were anemic, 31(67.4) had mild anemia, 13( 28.3%) had moderate and 2(4.3%) had severe anemia with statistically significant difference showed in Hb, Hct in two groups. Mean of hemoglobin in newborns was 15.47± 3.28g/ dl, 20(33.3%) were anemic (Hb less than 14g\ dl), with statistically significant difference showed in Hb, Hct, RBC, and WBC in two groups. No statistically significant difference showed in anthropometric measurements (height, head, chest circumference) of newborns with normal and abnormal measurements. There was 20(32.8%) newborns with abnormal weight (weight less than 2.5 kg), showed a statistically significant difference in two groups normal and abnormal weight newborns. No significant difference showed in hematological and anthropometric measurements of newborns from anemic mothers and newborns from non-anemic mothers. Newborns from the three groups of anemic mothers (mild, moderate and severe anemia) showed significant difference in newborn weight. In conclusion maternal anemia had no significant difference in anthropometric measurements of newborns, however there is a significant differences in weight of newborns between the three groups of anemic mothers.