Title : Correlation between anemia during pregnancy and low birth weight in children: Evidence from Project Vatsalya from the urban slums of PCMC, Pune- India
Abstract:
According to WHO, In 2019, global anemia prevalence was 29.9% in women of reproductive age, equivalent to over half a billion women aged 15-49yrs. Prevalence was 29.6% in non-pregnant women of reproductive age, and 36.5% in pregnant women. Anemia in mothers and children has been implicated as one of the factors contributing to the deaths of children, yet it has not received adequate attention. Low birth weight has been widely studied and is an important risk factor for infant morbidity and mortality. However, insufficient weight has received little attention, even though three decades ago, children with birth weights less than 3000 grams were considered to have a risk of mortality that was three times higher during the first year of life than that of children whose weights were above or equal to this cutoff point. Anemia during pregnancy is a serious health concern because it leads to many life-threatening complications and poor pregnancy outcomes.
We conducted a survey to identify pregnant anemic mothers from urban slum communities and to determine the association between Anemia and low birth weight in their children after birth. As part of the study, 200 mothers were included via a household survey and pre-test to assess their knowledge about Anemia and its effects on mothers during pregnancy as well as on children. All the pregnant mothers from the reproductive age group about 15 to 45yrs, were included in the project from 6 slums of the Pimpri Chinchwad (PCMC) Pune-India. As part of our guidance, we have emphasized nutritional intake and consumption of Iron and Folic Acid supplements during pregnancy and postpartum to ensure a healthy hemoglobin count through regular home visits. The hemoglobin level is tracked down on a monthly basis during ANC Check-ups to ensure the rise in the hemoglobin count. During the year 2020-21, about 74% of cases from the sample females were recorded to have anemia during pregnancy and about 18% of females have alarming signs of anemia. It was also noted that more number of children of mothers having anemia during pregnancy had low birth weights compared to children with mothers having good Hb during pregnancy. 36% of children had birth weight between 2-2.5 Kgs while about 5% of them had birth weight below 2 Kgs. The data suggests that about 65% of mothers had alarming anemic signs and their hemoglobin level was in the range 10-11gm/dl.
The study concludes that we need to focus more on nutrition during the pre-conception stage along with rigorous counseling regarding maternal and new born health care. We also need to spread awareness about menstruation, reproduction, maternity etc. among the adolescents along with regular health check ups for better impact.
