Risk factors for iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women from plateau region and their impact on pregnancy outcome.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To explore the risk factors for iron deficiency (ID) and iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in pregnant women from plateau region and their impact on pregnancy outcome. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 1,206 pregnant women admitted to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Qinghai Red Cross Hospital from January 2016 to October 2021. Among them, 721 women were diagnosed with ID and 104 women with IDA. We analyzed the potential risk factors for ID and IDA and also observed the impact of ID and IDA on the pregnancy outcome. RESULTS: Multivariate regression analyses showed that the risk factors for ID were age over 35 years old, number of pregnancies ≥2, number of childbirths >1, number of abortions ≥3 and drinking of strong tea or coffee, while the protective factors against ID were regular prenatal cares, iron supplementation and nutrition guidance during pregnancy. The risk factors for IDA were age ≥35 years old, number of abortions ≥3 and drinking of strong tea or coffee, while the protective factors against IDA were regular prenatal cares and iron supplementation during pregnancy. The incidences of gestational hypertension, fetal distress, preterm birth, cesarean section, postpartum hemorrhage and neonatal asphyxia in the IDA group were higher than those in the non-ID group (all P<0.05). Also, the incidences of gestational hypertension, cesarean section and postpartum hemorrhage were higher in the IDA group than those in the ID group (all P<0.05). Moreover, the incidences of gestational hypertension, cesarean section and postpartum hemorrhage in the ID group were higher than those in the non-ID group (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Pregnant women from the plateau region show a high incidence of ID and IDA, especially elderly parturient women or those with multiple pregnancies, child births or abortions. To reduce the incidence of ID and IDA as well as to improve the pregnancy outcome, our findings suggest pregnant woman to have regular prenatal care and a proper diet by avoiding strong tea or coffee, supplementing iron and receiving nutritional guidance.