Prevalence and aetiology of anaemia in pregnant women attending a tertiary care unit in sri lanka, and its effect on the mother and newborn

Anaemia is a major complication during pregnancy and is a contemporary problem in the South Asian region. Objectives: To identify the prevalence, and aetiology of anaemia in pregnancy, and determine its effects on maternal and neonatal outcome. Methodology: This is a cross sectional study. 382 pregnant women were recruited from the antenatal clinic and the maternal wards of the Teaching Hospital Peradeniya, Sri Lanka from May 2017 to December 2017 in their first trimester and followed up until delivery to assess the maternal and neonatal outcome. Anthropometric measurements and blood investigations were done in 157 and 146 women in second and third trimesters respectively. Results: 382 pregnant women were recruited at the booking visit. Among them 79 (20.7%) were anaemic in the first trimester, 43 (27.38%) in the second trimester and 42 (28.76%) in the third. A high prevalence of anaemia was seen in the Tamil community (34.78%) and women with a monthly income less than Rs.10,000. The prevalence of anaemia decreased in women who frequently consumed eggs and green leaves (P<0.00). There was no significant association with the maternal and neonatal outcome in this cohort. Conclusion: A high prevalence of anaemia is observed among the Tamil ethnic group and women with low monthly income. There was no association between anaemia in pregnancy and the maternal and neonatal outcome. Consumption of eggs and green leaves can minimize anaemia.