“Impact of covid 19 pandemic on maternofetal outcome in pregnant women
with severe anemia:a retrospective case control study”
Abstract
Objective: To study the impact of COVID 19 pandemic on the prevalence,
clinical profile, and pregnancy outcomes of women with severe anaemia.
Design: Retrospective Case Control study Setting: Department of
Obstertrics ,Tertiary care hospital of Delhi Population:Antenatal women
>26 weeks and Hemoglobin<7 gm% Methods: After
satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria, cases were taken for a
duration of six months during COVID pandemic, covid cases and controls
from period six months post covid. Main outcome measures: Prevalence of
anemia, Anemia indices and maternofetal outcome. Results: Total 4031
women delivered in study period compared to 6659 in control period.
74.7% and 51.6% were anaemic in study and control groups respectively
(p < 0.001). Mean hemoglobin level was significantly lower in
cases compared to the controls. Microcytic hypochromic anemia was most
common morphological type of anemia in both groups. Serum ferritin,
serum iron, serum B12 and folic acid levels among cases were
significantly (p<0.05) lower as compared to controls. Odds of
foetal growth restriction was 48% higher among cases as compared to
controls. The odds ratio of new-born complications such as low birth
weight 2.49 (95%CI: 1.04-5.91) and need for nursery or NICU admission
4.84 (95%CI: 0.48-48.24) was higher in cases as compared to controls.
Low birth rate was higher in cases and was found to be statistically
significant. Conclusion: India needs to focus on minimizing the indirect
effects of the pandemic on the maternal and perinatal outcomes. Funding:
none