Effect of maternal iron deficiency anemia on fetal hemodynamics and pregnancy outcome

Abstract

Background: In pregnancy, anaemia has detrimental impacts on maternal and fetal health. During pregnancy, chronic anemia may trigger glositis, stomatitis, alterations in the nails and skin, shortness of breath and heart failure in the mother. Obstetrical complications are also known, such as low birth weight babies, IUGR, elevated preterm delivery rate, and elevated perinatal deaths. Postpartum hemorrhage also aggravates the condition. Objective: To evaluate the impact on fetal hemodynamics of maternal iron deficiency anemia by Doppler parameters of umbilical and MCA, C/U ratio and to evaluate short term neonatal outcome by Apgar score and birth weight. Patients and Methods: This cross sectional cohort study included 300 pregnant women suitable candidates who attended Al-Hussein and Sayed Galal Hospital for delivery and casualty department in the period between December 2019 October 2020. Results: Our results showed that oral and parenteral iron were superior than blood transfusion as regards the clinical and sonographic outcome (IUGR, preterm labor, NBW, APGAR score and Doppler indices) with a more rapid improvement using parenteral iron. However, those patients who received blood transfusion (group C) had a better elevation in hemoglobin levels compared to oral and parenteral iron. CONCLUSION: Patients who received blood transfusion (group C) had a better elevation in hemoglobin levels however Patients who received oral and parenteral iron were superior than blood transfusion as regards the clinical and sonographic outcome .