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