MEAN CORD HEMOGLOBIN AND SERUM FERRITIN IN NEONATES BORN TO ANEMIC MOTHERS PRESENTING AT TERM

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Anemia in pregnant women is a major challenge to obstetric care in developing nations. Maternal iron deficiency is a main reason of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. There is a considerable relationship among maternal and cord hemoglobin and ferritin levels. Objective of this study was to determine mean cord hemoglobin and serum ferritin of neonates and mothers.
METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study of 60 women was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi. The study was conducted from 25-06-2015 to 24-12-2015 Patients admitted at term were selected by consecutive non-probability sampling technique. A thorough history and examination was done for inclusion and exclusion criteria. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique was used for ferritin assay .The maternal and cord blood samples were discarded after analysis.
RESULTS:Mean age of the patients was 32.63±3.58 years; mean gestational age was 38.28±0.90 weeks. Larger part of the patients were having gravidity 2-5 and Para 1-4. Mean±SD of neonatal serum ferritin was 86.15±54.86, mean cord hemoglobin 16.15±2.18, mean maternal hemoglobin was 8.99±1.09 and mean maternal ferritin was 7.33±2.11. 
CONCLUSION: Maternal anemia has negative effects on cord blood Hb and serum ferritin in neonates.
KEYWORDS: Anemia, Hemoglobin, Serum ferritin, Neonates