Publication:

Relationship between maternal hemoglobin concentration during pregnancy and neonatal birth weight in urban poor community in and around Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India

Background Anemia is a major health issue affecting both developing and developed countries worldwide. In the developing countries, poverty, gender bias and lack of education about the importance of a balanced and iron-rich diet contribute to anemia. According to WHO anemia is present when the hemoglobin percentage is less than 11 gm per dl during pregnancy. The birth weight of an infant is the most important determinant of its chance of survival health growth and development. The prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) is higher in Asia than elsewhere. Low birth weight is a major determinant of mortality, morbidity and disability in infancy and childhood and has a long term impact on health outcomes in adult life. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between maternal hemoglobin concentration with neonatal birth weight.

Methods This was a descriptive study. Details were collected from ante-natal records of women, attending 10 numbers of Maternal and Child health clinics run by Tata Steel Family Initiatives Foundation for urban poor community in and around Jamshedpur. This study was done over a period of 7 months from May 2018 to November 2018. Data was collected retrospectively after women had delivered. A sample size of 511 women was taken as a part of the survey.

Results Analysis of the data shows that anemia was associated with a significantly increase risk of low birth weight (<2500 gm). In our study it was found that Hb level in 3rd trimester had more impact on birth weight than in 1st trimester.

Conclusions Maternal anemia was significantly associated with effect on birth weight. Effort should be directed towards awareness of women regarding prevention of anemia so that their pre pregnancy hemoglobin level is normal and babies born are of normal birth weight.