Abstract:
Anemia is a global public health problem, it occurs at all stages of life cycle but is more prevalent in pregnant women and young children. The major function of hemoglobin is to carry oxygen from the lung to tissues and carbon dioxide from tissues to the lung.. Ferritin is a ubiquitous intracellular protein that store iron and release it in a controlled fashion.
This is a case control prospective study conducted in Khartoum State during the period between April to August 2015. The aim of this study is to measure hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels in newborns of anemic mother as case and non-anemic mothers as control at the time of delivery and to determine relationship between hemoglobin and serum ferritin of mothers and their newborns at the time of delivery.
Self report structured interview was designed and blood sample were collected from 70 anemic pregnant women aged between 21-40 years before labor (pre-delivery) as case (Hb <11.0 g/dL), another 70 blood sample were collected from non-anemic pregnant women (≥11.0 g/dL) age between 21-40 before labor as control group. After delivery blood sample was taken from their newborns.
Hemoglobin was measured using automatic blood counter (Sysmex KX-21N)
Serum ferritin was estimated by using (Cobas 411 e) instrument .
The results showed anemic mothers (cases) hemoglobin mean was 9.2 ±0.72 g/dl and the mean of ferritin of cases was 7.8 ng/ml ±8.6 and the mean of hemoglobin for newborns of cases was 14.53 g/dl ± 1.34 and the mean value of serum ferritin for newborns of cases was 72.4 ng/ml ±27.5 .
The mean of hemoglobin of non-anemic mothers was 11.6 g/dL ± 0.63 and the average of ferritin was14.31ng/mL ± 9.32 .
The mean of hemoglobin for newborn of control was 15.43 g/dl ± 1.22 and the mean value of serum ferritin for newborns of control was 96.7 ng/ml ±29.3.
The study concluded that there is a significant differences in the mean value of Hb among newborns of anemic mothers and non-anemic mothers (P.value = 0.039), There is also a significant differences in the mean value of serum ferritin among newborns of anemic mothers and non-anemic mothers (P.value = 0.001) and there were a significant positive association between Hb and serum ferritin of anemic (case group) mothers and their newborns .also there is a positive association of Hb and serum ferritin of non-anemic (control group) mothers and their newborns. The study showed that the maternal anemic pregnant women affect Hb and serum ferritin of their newborns .
The study recommends that there should be a regular investigations for pregnant women for hemoglobin and serum ferritin to ensure the wellbeing of pregnant women which reflects on their newborns.
