Abstract :
Introduction: Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to Iron deficiency because of the increased
metabolic demands imposed by pregnancy involving a growing placenta, fetus and maternal tissues,
coupled with associated dietary risks. Maternal iron deficiency has effects on fetal iron stores. The fetus
receives iron indirectly from the maternal circulation through a rapid and unidirectional process. Thus, this
study was planned to determine association between maternal serum ferritin and new born serum ferritin
levels.
Materials and Methods: In this observational cross sectional study randomized sample of 100 antenatal
women, >20years of age with Hb 37 weeks was taken for study. Serum
ferritin was estimated by ELISA technique.
Results: Hb levels ranged from 3.8-10.7grams/dl with a mean value of 9.771.55gram/dl. Parity is of
significance for severity of Anaemia (p=0.002). Mean gestational age was 38.350.85. No correlation
was found between the maternal haemoglobin and maternal serum ferritin levels in women with mild and
moderate Anaemia. But in cases of severe Anaemia a positive correlation was found with a p
mean cord blood serum ferritin was 57.3619.48 micrograms.
Conclusion: This study establishes the effect of iron deficiency anaemia on neonatal iron status with
increasing severity of anaemia and emphasizes on the need for iron supplementation during pregnancy.
Keyword :
Serum ferritin levels, Anaemia, Iron deficiency, Pregnancy.