Women with Severe Anemia in Labor: Fetomaternal Outcomes

Background: Anaemia in pregnancy is the leading medical disorder in developing countries like India. Women with severe anemia in labor is a challenging situation for the obstetrician with increased maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. It has multifactorial etiology, Main cause of anemia in obstetrics is iron deficiency. There are specific risks for the mother like preterm labour pain, IUGR baby, preeclampsia, antepartum haemorrhage, sepsis etc and the fetus such as prematurity, lowbirth weight, birth asphyxia etc.Aim and Objectives: To determine the socio-demographic variables and also the maternal and perinatal outcomes of pregnant women admitted to labour room with severe anemia (Hb <7gm%) late in pregnancy.Results: It was seen that out of 50 severely anemic women, 82% had Hb between 4-7 gm% and 18% had Hb < 4gm%. Severe anemia is seen in 82% unbooked patients and only in 18% booked patients. There was increased incidence of preterm delivery, PPH, preeclampsia, eclampsia, mortality in anemic group as compared to non anemic group. Among the adverse fetal outcomes, there was increased incidence of intrauterine deaths, intrauterine growth restriction, NICU admission, low birth weight among the anemic group as compared to non anemic group.Conclusions: Severely anemic women reporting in labor had significantly high maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Even a minor blood loss is much devastating for such patients. Extrapolating our observations, it can be said that a close vigilance, anticipation of complications and appropriate care and interventions during labor and puerperium will help in improving outcomes in these severely anemic women. Awareness and education on early antenatal bookings, regular iron intake and continuous antenatal care should be the goal in tackling anemia in pregnancy.Key words: Anaemia, Iron deficiency, Intrauterine growth retardation, prematurity, maternal outcome, neonatal outcome.