Abstract

Background: In pregnancy, anaemia has a significant impact on the health of fetus as
well as that of mother. It is one of the leading causes responsible for maternal and
perinatal morbidity and mortality. The objectives of the study are to find out the effect
of severe anaemia on women in labour affecting maternal and fetal outcome.
Materials and Methods: This a prospective case control study undertaken in the
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Govt Maternity Hospital, Petlaburz
attached to Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad. The period of study was from 1st
December 2019 to 31st December 2021.There were a total of 160 study subjects, 80 cases
of severe anaemia (Hb<7gm %) and 80 non anaemic controls (Hb≥ 11gm %).
Results: Low socio economic status (86.25%), inadequate antenatal care (38.75%),
multiparity (71.25%) and no iron supplementation (52.5%) were associated with severe
anaemia cases. Microcytic hypochromic anaemia was more prevalent (76.25%),
suggesting nutritional inadequacies as a cause of anaemia. It was seen that the incidence
of preterm labour (22.5%), atonic PPH (2.5%), sub involution of the uterus (2.5%),
CCF (1.25%), abruptio placentae (1.25%) and maternal mortality (1.25%) was more in
cases of severe anaemia than in the control group. Adverse fetal outcome in the form of
preterm birth (22.5%), low birth weight babies (41.25%), IUGR (13.75%), birth
asphyxia (11.25%), and perinatal mortality (11.25%) was more in the anaemic group
than the controls.