Perinatal outcome in anaemic pregnant women in South-Western Nigeria

Background: Anaemia in pregnancy is a global public health problem in most developing and developed countries with major consequences for human health as well as social and economic development. Fetuses of anaemic mothers are at risk of preterm deliveries, low birth weights, morbidity and perinatal mortality due to the impairment of oxygen delivery to placenta and foetus.Methods: This study was conducted at the antenatal clinic and labour ward complex of a teaching hospital in south-western Nigeria to determine the effect of anaemia in pregnancy on perinatal outcome. Eligible participants were enrolled for the study by consecutive sampling method. Relevant data were extracted from the case records of these eligible women and a structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used for the data collection.Results: There were statistically significant differences between anaemia and reduced gestational age at birth (P = 0.000), low one-minute (P = 0.000) and five-minute (P = 0.003) Apgar scores, reduced birth weight (P=0.005) and foetal death (P = 0.013). No significant difference was noted in the rate of neonatal admission in the two groups (P = 0.085).Conclusion: This study has thus highlighted the importance of considering maternal anaemia as an indicator of adverse perinatal outcomes. There is therefore, a need to counsel intending mothers and their partners about early antenatal booking, compliance with routine antenatal medications and prompt identification and treatment of anaemia in pregnancy, all as means of curtailing the overwhelming perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with the condition.