1 Anemia at 6 months of pregnancy is associated with increased risk of poor birth outcomes in French women

Hemoglobin (Hb) values for pregnant women (n=1765; age: 29± 5y) enrolled in the EDEN cohort study on pre and early post‐natal determinants of child development and health, were determined at the obligatory clinical visit at 6 mo. of pregnancy in the French health care system. Anemia (Hb < 12 g/dL) at 6 mo. of pregnancy (AnP) was noted in 8% women. Among sociodemographic, maternal lifestyle and obstetric characteristics examined, AnP associated positively with parity and negatively with prepregnancy BMI. Hb was not associated with multivitamin or mineral(s) supplement use. Logistic regression analyses showed that AnP increased the risk of preterm delivery (gestational age < 37 wk); odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were 2.1 and 1.1–4.0, respectively, after including socio‐demographic factors, parity, smoking, BMI, and supplement use in statistical model. Polynomial regression analysis adjusting for these factors as well as gestational age and newborn's sex showed that the risk of small for gestational age increased for Hb < 10 & > 13 g/dL (βHb = −3.5; βHb 2 = 0.15, p<0.01). Risk of low birth weight increased for low and higher Hb (βHb = −5.2; βHb 2 = 0.23, p<0.01) as well. Our results show that anemia as well as high Hb concentrations at 6 mo. of pregnancy are associated with poor birth outcomes among Caucasian women and warrant close monitoring and treatment, as indicated. Supported by EDEN mother‐child cohort study group.