Effect of Haemoglobin and Iron Status of the Antenatal Mothers on their Newborns at Birth: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Iron deficiency (ID) anaemia in pregnant mothers can affect the iron reserves of their newborns and lead to anaemia later. The haematological indices and iron status of pregnant women and its correlation with their neonates is still unclear. Aim: To assess the correlation between maternal and cord blood Hb and iron status. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study included 134 antenatal mothers, at term gestation without any significant antenatal complications. Complete haemogram, serum iron, ferritin, and iron binding capacity were assessed for these mothers before delivery and also from the cord blood samples of their newborns at birth. Statistical difference and correlation were observed using Chi-square test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: Maternal anaemia Hb <11 gm/dL) was observed in 62 (46.3%). The mean Hb and ferritin of the mothers were 11.06±1.02 gm/dL and 113.3±7.1 μg/L, respectively. The mean Hb and ferritin levels of the cord blood samples were 12.24±0.17 gm/dL and 214.3±20.1 μg/L, respectively. In univariate analysis, maternal Hb showed a significant correlation with cord blood Hb with Odds Ratio (OR) 0.508 and 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.428-0.603. The Pearson’s correlation showed a moderate correlation between mother and cord blood Packed Cell Volume (PCV) (r=0.344, p<0.001) and weak correlation between other maternal and cord blood iron indices and serum ferritin (r=0.191, p=0.027 and r=0.203, p=0.019). Conclusion: There is a significant correlation between maternal and cord blood Hb in term neonates. The study indicates that the haematological indices of pregnant women determine the neonatal Hb in term babies.