[Maternal anemia in the southeast and northeast regions of New Brunswick and the impact on hematological parameters and the growth of the newborn]

Can J Diet Pract Res. 2001 Summer;62(2):70-5.
[Article in French]

Abstract

The prevalence of anaemia remains a major nutritional problem in industrialized countries. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of maternal anaemia in southeastern and northeastern areas of New Brunswick and to identify a potential interaction between maternal haematologic indices and the growth, hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Ht) of newborns. In this retrospective study, 952 obstetric and paediatric records, including 654 from the southeastern area (Greater Moncton) and the rest from the northeastern area (Acadian Peninsula) of New Brunswick, were investigated. The prevalence of maternal anaemia was 21.4% in the Greater Moncton area, compared to 11.5% in the Peninsula. The majority of anaemic women suffered from a light form of anaemia, mainly in the third trimester. Immediately after delivery, 52% of women from Greater Moncton and 40% from the Acadian Peninsula had Hb below normal. A positive correlation was observed between maternal Hb and newborn Hb and between maternal Ht and newborn Hb. Results indicate that maternal anaemia is prevalent in both areas under study and confirm the importance of implementing effective prevention measures.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anemia / blood
  • Anemia / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Hematocrit
  • Hematologic Tests
  • Hemoglobins / analysis
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn / blood*
  • Infant, Newborn / growth & development*
  • Maternal Welfare
  • New Brunswick / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / blood
  • Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / epidemiology*
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Third
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Hemoglobins