Objective: The
study was conducted to investigate the influence of initial hemoglobin (Hb)
concentration of Sri Lankan pregnant mothers on baby’s birth weight and preterm
delivery. Methods: For this retrospective study, 3867 primigravid
pregnant women in Sri Lanka were followed till they deliver the baby. Sampling
method was cluster sampling where all the pregnant mothers giving singleton
birth in the selected 15 health division were followed for three years.
Mothers’ initial Hb concentration, weight gain during the pregnancy and neonatal outcomes were
assessed. Results: Severe iron deficiency anemia at the initial stage of
pregnancy had 3.9 - 14.4 folder
higher relative risk of low birth weight (LBW) and 3.0 - 8.1 folder higher
relative risk of preterm delivery at 95% confidence interval. The minimum
incidence of preterm delivery and maximum weight gain of mothers occurs in
association with an initial Hb concentration of 105 - 125 g/L. Conclusion: The excess level of initial iron content at pregnancy does not contribute for
any adverse effect on pregnancy outcome as like in the later part of pregnancy
and therefore supplement of iron during the initial pregnancy for mothers can
be carried out regardless of whether the mother is anemic.
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