Change in Hemoglobin as Compared to Absolute Haemoglobin as a Determinant of Birth Weight: A Secondary Data Analysis From Eastern India.

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) significantly impacts children's development and long-term health, with maternal anaemia being a key predictor. While the direct association between anaemia and LBW is well-documented, its effects at different pregnancy stages remain uncertain. This study aims to explore how changes in hemoglobin concentration across the pregnancy trimesters impact birthweight compared to absolute hemoglobin levels in mothers.

Methodology: This secondary data analysis explores comprehensive antenatal histories, physical examination details, and hemoglobin levels of 226 mothers till delivery, in the rural field practice area of a tertiary care institute, where mothers attended monthly antenatal care (ANC) clinics at rural subcenters. The study included only those pregnant women who completed ANC check-ups from the first trimester through delivery, comparing changes in maternal hemoglobin across trimesters and the birth weights of newborns.

Results: Out of 226 deliveries, 46 resulted in LBW babies. Changes in hemoglobin concentration from the first to the third trimester and from the second to the third trimester had a statistically significant influence on birth weight. In contrast, the severity of anaemia in different trimesters did not show a significant association with birth weight.

Conclusion: Changes in hemoglobin levels, rather than absolute hemoglobin levels, may play a significant role in determining the birth weight of newborns. This finding could inform treatment strategies and expected outcomes. Further research is needed to explore the plausibility of this hypothesis and its underlying biological mechanisms.