Article Published In Vol.5 (July-Aug-2017)

Poor Implementation of Anemia Programs in India

Author : Dr. C. Shanthi, MD, DGO, FICOG and Dr. K.S. Chitra, MD, DGO, DNB OG

Background: Anemia is a very common medical disorder in pregnancy with 55% prevalence in India. Every Second women in India is anemic. Hence this study was conducted to evaluate the causes of anemia, maternal and perinatal outcomes of anemia in the Indian population.
Objective: To evaluate the causes of anemia, maternal and perinatal outcomes of anemia in the Indian population in a tertiary care Centre government rajaji hospital OG department for a period of 3 months.
Methods: This study was carried out in Government Rajaji hospital, Madurai for a period of 3 months from July 2016 to August 2016. A total of 1153 patients were studied. Maternal and perinatal parameters were studied.
Results: 82.9% of the mothers had hypochromic microcytic anemia. 43.1% of patients had positive urine culture for latent infections. More than 36% of babies were of low-birth weight.
Conclusions: There was a significant correlation between anemia and low-birth weight. Anemia predisposed the mothers to postpartum Wound infections and Sepsis.

Keywords: Anemia, iron-deficiency, low-birth weight