Background: The most frequently identified dietary deficiency worldwide is iron deficiency, especially during pregnancy.
Aim of the Work: To evaluate the impact of moderate maternal iron deficiency anemia on maternal outcome (atonic postpartum hemorrhage or postpartum infections after delivery), and fetal outcomes (neonatal weight and Apgar score).
Patient and Methods: This study was carried out at El Hussein University Hospital and Om El-Masryeen General Hospital on 100 pregnant females, who were admitted to the labor ward for delivery. They were split into two equal groups after the assessment of hemoglobin levels. The first group included non-anemic pregnant women and the second group included pregnant women with moderate iron-deficiency anemia. After delivery, the maternal outcome was assessed for atonic postpartum hemorrhage or postpartum infections and all newborns were assessed for neonatal weight and Apgar score.
Results: After delivery, the discrepancy in the rate of atonic postpartum hemorrhage, postpartum endometritis, post-cesarean wound infection, and episiotomy wound infection among both groups was statistically insignificant (P value 0.204, 0.307, 0.485, 0.481 respectively). There were positive correlations between maternal parameters (maternal serum hemoglobin, MCV, MCH, serum iron, and serum ferritin) and fetal outcomes (neonatal weight and Apgar score). There were negative correlations between maternal total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) and fetal outcomes (neonatal weight and Apgar score).
Conclusion: Maternal iron deficiency anemia affects both maternal and fetal outcomes.
Keywords: Iron deficiency anemia; Maternal outcome; Fetal outcome.