MATERNAL AND NEONATAL OUTCOME OF ANEMIA IN PREGNANCY
Maternal anaemia is a significant public health concern, particularly in resource-limited settings, and is associated with adverse neonatal outcomes. This study aims to assess the prevalence of maternal anaemia and its impact on neonatal parameters, including birth weight, APGAR scores, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions, and neonatal haemoglobin levels. Methods: A hospital-based observational study was conducted from January to December 2020 in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institutes of Medical Sciences. A total of 350 anaemic pregnant women at term gestation were enrolled. Anaemia was classified based on WHO criteria into mild (9.0– 10.9 g/dL), moderate (7.0–8.9 g/dL), and severe (<7.0 g/dL). Neonatal outcomes such as birth weight, APGAR scores, NICU admissions, and neonatal haemoglobin levels were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA, chisquare test, and logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of moderate anaemia (74%) was significantly higher than mild (16.8%) and severe anaemia (9.14%). A statistically significant correlation (p<0.001) was found between increasing anaemia severity and adverse neonatal outcomes. The proportion of low birth weight (LBW) neonates was 18.6% in the mild anaemia group, 58.3% in the moderate group, and 100% in the severe group. APGAR scores ?7 at 5 minutes were observed in 15.2% of neonates in the mild anaemia group, 29.4% in the moderate group, and 50% in the severe group. NICU admissions increased with anaemia severity, with the highest rate (93.7%) in the severe anaemia group. Neonatal anaemia (haemoglobin<14 g/dL) was present in 8.4% of neonates born to mildly anaemic mothers, 22.3% in the moderate group, and 90.6% in the severe group. Conclusion: Maternal anaemia is significantly associated with adverse neonatal outcomes, including LBW, low APGAR scores, increased NICU admissions, and neonatal anaemia. These findings highlight the need for early screening, appropriate nutritional interventions, and improved antenatal care to reduce the burden of maternal anaemia and its neonatal complications