Antenatal Iron Deficiency in an Urban Malaysian Population
- Author:
Mahdy Za
;
Jumaida Ab
;
Muhammad Za’im Sh
;
Rahana Ar
;
Mukudan K
;
Zaleha Mi
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
anaemia;
ferritn;
pregnancy
- MeSH:
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency;
Pregnancy
- From:Medicine and Health
2017;12(1):27-33
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia in pregnancy. The
present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of antenatal anemia
and iron deficiency in the Malaysian population and its correlation with sociodemographic
and obstetric profile. It was a cross-sectional study conducted at
an urban health clinic over a period of six months. A single blood sample was
drawn from apparently healthy pregnant mothers at antenatal booking and sent
for laboratory assessment of full blood count and serum ferritin as screening tools
for anemia and iron status. SPSS version 19.0 was used for statistical analyses.
The results showed that out of 250 subjects, 43.6% had anemia and 31.6% had
iron deficiency. Whilst 47.7% of subjects with anemia were iron deficient, 19.1%
of subjects without anemia were also iron deficient. Serum ferritin correlated
negatively with period of gestation at booking (p<0.001), with 77.6% of these
women not having prior iron supplements. Serum ferritin was also significantly
lower among grandmultiparae (p=0.01). Iron deficiency was significantly (p=0.024)
more common among Indians (42.5%) compared to Malays (33.5%) and Chinese
(13.0%). In conclusion, continuation of the current practice of routine antenatal
iron supplementation is still warranted and justifiable in Malaysia as there is high
prevalence of iron deficiency in pregnancy not only in the presence of anemia but
also in the presence of normal hemoglobin values.
- Full text:P020170621370526380822.pdf
