Anemia in Pregnancy

 

Anemia in Pregnancy:

Definition of Anemia:·

The WHO has defined the cut off value for anemia in pregnancy as the Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration of less than 11g/dl. 

It is defined as low Hb level in blood, Hb is oxygen carrying transporter which carry oxygen from lungs to overall body through blood circulation. 

 . Decrease Hemoglobin concentration below lower extreme level is Anemia.  

. Normal Range in female:  11.9 – 15 g/dl.

Grading of Anemia:

.  Mild: 10 – 10.9

. Moderate: 7 – 9.9

. Severe: less than 7

. More severe: less than 4

Blood composition

 

Types of Anemia :

1. ANEMIA:

It is a condition when body don’t produce enough new blood cells.

2. IRON DEFICENCY ANEMIA:

It is a common type of anemia in which blood lacks adequate healthy red blood cells due to low  iron  level in body.

Iron deficiency is most common cause of anemia in pregnancy. 

Normal Iron body mass: Female: 2.5 g.

3. Vitamin B-12 Deficiency Anemia:

The body needs vitamin B12 to form healthy red blood cells. When a pregnant woman doesn’t get enough vitamin B12 from their diet, their body can’t produce enough healthy red blood cells.

Vitamin B12 deficiency, may contribute to birth defects, such as neural tube abnormalities, and could lead to preterm labor.

 

4. THALASSEMIA:

Inherited disorder that causes body to have less Hb than normal.

 

5. FOLATEF DEFICENCY ANEMIA:

There is lack of Vit-B9 in body either due to less consumption or due to lack of absorption.

Folate deficiency can directly contribute to certain types of birth defects, such as neural tube abnormalities and low birth weight.

Causes:

1.  Iron deficiency.

2. Folate deficiency .

3.Vit-B12 deficiency

4. Blood loss

5. Increase utilization (during pregnancy and lactation).

6. Poor diet intake. (Meat and leafy vegetables intake is low).

Symptoms:

§  Fatigue

§  Shortness of breath

§  Lethargy 

§  Generalized weakness

§  Pale or yellowish skin

§  Numbness of hands and feets

§  Coldness of hands and feets

Treatment:

§  ORAL IRON SUPPLEMENTS

§  PARENTERAL IRON SUPPLEMENTS (Iron sucrose)

§  BLOOD TRANSFUSION

§  Advice to take rich diet like fresh meat and green leafy vegetables.

§  Take fresh fruits.

§  Take folic acid.

Diet for anemic patient.

Complications:

Fetal:

NEURAL TUBE DEFECT

MISCARRAIGE

PRETERM BIRTH

IUD (Intrauterine death)

ANEMIA 

Maternal:

PRONE TO INFECTION

HEART DECOMPENSATION

PRETERM LABOUR

POST PARTUM HEMORRHAGE

LETHARGY

DEATH.