ABSTRACT:
Introduction: Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia. Several studies have been done to investigate the association between maternal and neonatal iron status. But the findings are conflicting. So this study was undertaken. Methods: 24 non-anaemic and 40 mild anaemic mothers in the age group of 20-30 years were included in the control and case group respectively. Venous blood samples from the non fasting mothers just before delivery and cord blood immediately after delivery from maternal end was collected for the assessment of haemoglobin, serum iron and red blood cell indices (namely mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration). The data were analyzed using Student unpaired t test. The p value less than 0.01 were considered significant. Results: All the blood parameters except mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were significantly higher in case and control neonates compared to maternal case and control groups ( p value less than 0.01). A significant difference was seen in mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean serum iron values in neonates born to anaemic mothers compared to neonates born to non-anemic mothers ( p value less than 0.01). No significant difference was seen in mean haemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration in neonates born to anaemic mothers compared to neonates born to non anaemic mothers. Conclusion: Maternal iron deficiency anemia has an adverse effect on iron status of their newborns.