Maternal Anemia and its Impact on Nutritional Status of Children Under the Age of Two Years
Journal Title: Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research (BJSTR) - Year 2018, Vol 5, Issue 3
Abstract
Objective: To assess the frequency of anemia in mothers accompanying children admitted in General Medical Ward of The Children’s Hospital Lahore and to determine its association with the growth parameters of their children under two years of age. Methodology: Total 228 children admitted in General Medical Ward with acute illness along with their mothers were included in the study. Blood sample of their mothers for Hb level was taken. Height and weight of children were plotted on WHO Growth Charts. Anemia was defined according to World Health Organization (WHO) as hemoglobin level of <12 g/dL in non-pregnant women. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: Out of 228 patients 147 (64.5%) were males. The mean age of children was 8.7 ± 6.6 months. Mean maternal age was 26 ± 5.3 years. Anemia was present in 154 (67.5 %) mothers. Mean maternal Hb was 10.6 ± 1.6 gm/dl. Forty-nine percent children were severely underweight (Z score <-3) and 37 (16.2%) were falling on median. Severely stunted children were 92 (40.4%) (Z score <-3) while 43 (18.9%) were at median. Low weight for age and Length/Height for age of children was significantly associated with maternal anemia (p= 0.017), (p=0.05) respectively. Other maternal factors affecting the child’s nutritional status and growth parameters were multi-parity, general maternal health and education level with p value of 0.005, 0.01 and 0.04 respectively. Conclusion: Maternal anemia has a significant effect on nutritional status of young children leading to stunting and underweight. Associated maternal factors were maternal education, multi-parity and poor maternal health.Developing countries are bearing huge burden of anemia and it is persisting as a public health issue worldwide [1]. Women of child bearing age, pregnant women and children are considered as high risk population group [2]. In Pakistan 52% of pregnant women 32% of women of childbearing age are victims of anemia [3]. Worldwide more than 50% pregnant women and 30% of all women of childbearing age suffer from anemia [4]. In developing world although iron deficiency accounts for half of cases but other nutrient deficiencies like (vitamin A, riboflavin, folic acid, and vitamin B12), parasitic and infectious diseases also play significant role[5,6]. Consequences of anemia are diverse [7]. In pregnancy, detrimental effects associated with anemia lead to low birth weight babies [8] and pre-term deliveries [9]. Substantial number of cases of anemia in infancy and childhood are due to maternal iron deficiency. Anemia causes impaired physical growth of infants, preschool and school aged children [10].Anemic mothers have significant diminution in working capacity causing difficulties in performing house hold chores and child care, thus affecting growth para meters of children of anemic mothers [11]. So, the hazardous effects of anemia in pregnancy on infant’s growth multiply and intensify when anemic mothers cannot give proper attention and care due to their own ill health. With each pregnancy, this problem magnifies and in next pregnancy and lactation phase she suffers iron deficiency because of inadequate pre-pregnancy iron reserves. Thus, anemia is a life-long burden for women one which also endangers their children’s growth parameters and nutritional status [12].
Authors and Affiliations
Aisha Iftikhar, Attia Bari, Fatima Zeeshan, Uzma Jabeen, Qaisar Masood, Ahsan Waheed Rathore
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP587883
- DOI 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.05.001197
- Views 124
- Downloads 0
Postmastectomy Hypo Fractionated Radiotherapy: May be a Breakthrough in Breast Cancer Management
Hypo fractionated schedules deliver greater than 2 Gy of radiation per fraction while reducing the total cumulative dose through reducing the number of treatment sessions. In breast cancer, radiotherapy is indicated for...
Acute Effects of Aerobic Physical Activities on Attention and Concentration in School-aged Children
Purpose: It is unknown whether or not a PA intervention can produce positive effects on students’ attention and concentration late in the school day (i.e., afternoon). Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the a...
A Maximum Cut Approximation Algorithm for Tracheostomy
In this note, is presented a computational approach for analysis of a tracheostomy procedure, one which is performed in critically ill patients, and its monitoring is important, since a prolonged mechanical ventilation f...
Use of Barbed Sutures for Fixation of Spreader Grafts in Rhinoplasty: A Novel Technique
Barbed suture technology has evolved over the past decade resulting in a variety of new techniques and improved technologies for better fixation of soft tissues throughout the body. The use of barbed suture in facial rec...
Trained Innate Immunity: New Immunological Memory Mechanisms
Trained innate immunity attracts more and more attention in recent years. Innate immune memory is observed in natural killer cells, monocytes and macrophages after being trained by certain antigens and non-specific stron...