Anaemia is a common medical disorder in pregnancy. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia in pregnancy. Anaemia in pregnancy can lead to increased risks for both the mother and fetus, including maternal mortality and morbidity as well as increased risk of low birth weight, preterm birth, and infant mortality. Treatment involves iron supplementation, blood transfusions, or intravenous iron for more severe cases.
Overview of anaemia as a common medical disorder with high incidence in underdeveloped countries, leading to increased maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.
Definition of anaemia by WHO based on hemoglobin levels; classification into mild, moderate, severe, and very severe categories.
Main causes of anaemia in pregnancy include erythrocyte production issues, RBC destruction, and RBC loss, with 90% attributed to iron deficiency.
Common anaemias during pregnancy include nutritional deficiencies (Iron, Folate, Vit. B12) and haemoglobinopathies (Thalassemias, SCD) with rare types also mentioned.
Total iron requirement during pregnancy and postpartum; causes of iron deficiency anaemia including depleted stores and chronic conditions; symptoms are more apparent in severe cases.
Anaemia impacts maternal health (high output cardiac failure, infections) and fetal outcomes (IUGR, LBW, cognitive delays).
Investigative methods for diagnosing anaemia, including blood tests for Hb, hematocrit, serum iron levels, ferritin, and reticulocyte count.
Objectives for managing anaemia include achieving normal Hb levels via iron supplementation (oral or parenteral) and blood transfusions as necessary; considerations for severe anaemia.
Megaloblastic anaemia occurs in 1% of pregnancies; characterized by high MCV and often caused by folate and/or vitamin B12 deficiency.
Risks of folate deficiency include maternal megaloblastic anaemia and fetal neural tube defects; daily folate requirement increases during pregnancy.
Rare but significant; occurs due to factors like gastrectomy; diagnosed through peripheral smears and low serum levels.
Description of inherited disorders affecting hemoglobin synthesis, including thalassemia and sickle cell disease, with definitions of homozygous and heterozygous forms.
Thalassemias involve reduced hemoglobin synthesis; types include alpha and beta; management similar to normal pregnancies with monitoring.
Sickle cell syndrome affects pregnancy with risks for fetal distress and higher perinatal mortality; includes diagnostic and symptomatic management.
Comfort measures during labor include adequate analgesia, oxygen inhalation, and nutrition support for anaemic patients post-delivery.
ANAEMIA IN PREGNANCYANAEMIAIN PREGNANCY
Commonest medical disorder.
High incidence in underdeveloped countries
Increased Maternal morbidity & mortality
Increased perinatal mortality
3.
ANAEMIA IN PREGNANCYANAEMIAIN PREGNANCY
Definition: By WHO
Hb. < 11 gm /dl
(or haematocrit <32%).
Mild anaemia -------- 9 -10.9 gm /dl
Moderate anaemia--- 7-8.9 gm /dl
Sever anaemia-------- < 7gm /dl
Very sever anaemia-- < 4gm/dl
4.
ETIOLOGYETIOLOGY
There are 3main causes:
1- Erythrocyte production: (hypo proliferative anemia )
. Fe deficiency
. Folic acid
. Vitamin B12
2- RBC destruction:
3- RBC loss:
90% anemia in pregnancy is due to Fe deficiency
5.
Physiological changes inPhysiologicalchanges in
pregnancypregnancy
• Plasama volume 50% (by 34weeks)
• But RBC mass only 25%
• Results in haemodilution :
• Hb
Haematocrit
RBC count
2-3 fold increase in Fe requierment.
10-20 Fold increase in folate requirement
IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIAIRONDEFICIENCY ANAEMIA
Iron required for fetus and placenta ------- 500mg.
Iron required for red cell increment ------- 500mg
Post partum loss --------- 180mg.
Lactation for 6 months - 180mg.
Total requirement -------1360mg
350mg subtracted (saved as a result of
amennorrhoea)
So actual extra demand ----------------------1000mg
Full iron stores --------------------------------1000mg
9.
ETIOLOGY OF IRONDEFICIENCY ANAEMIAETIOLOGY OF IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA
Depleted iron stores – dietary lack, chronic renal failure,
worm infestation, chronic menorrhagia
Chronic infections: ( like malaria)
Repeated pregnancies :
- with interval < 1 year
- blood loss at time of delivery
- multiple pregnancy.
CLINICAL FEATURES
Symptoms usually in severe anaemia
- Fatigue
- Giddiness
- Breathlessness
10.
EFFECTS OF ANAEMAIN PREGNANCYEFFECTS OF ANAEMA IN PREGNANCY
. Mother :
High output Cardiac failure (more likely if precelampsia
present. inadequate tissue oxygenation increase requirments
for excessive blood flow )
PPH
Predisposes to infection
Risk of thrombo-embolism
Delayed general physical recovery esp after c. section
Fetus: . IUGR
. Preterm birth
. LBW
. Depleted Fe store
. Delayed Cognitive function.
Serum iron decreased(<12 micro mol / l)
Total iron binding capacity :TIBC in non-pregnant
state is 33% saturated with iron .when serum iron
level fall ,<15% ofTIBC saturated.by fall in
saturation,the TIBC INCREASED.
S. ferritin :In healthy adults ferritin circulate in
plasma in range of 15_300 pg/l. in iron deficiency
anemia it is the first test to become abnormal.
INVESTIGATIONS
13.
Serum transferrin receptor(TfR): present on
all cells as transmembrane protien that binds
transferrin iron and transfer it to cell
interior. Increased in iron def. anemia.
Bone marrow examination.
RFTS/LFTS.
Urine for haemturia.
Stool examination for ova ,cyst and occult
blood.
14.
MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT
Objectives:
1- Toachieve a normal Hb by end of pregnancy
2- To replenish iron stores
Two ways to correct anaemia:
I- Iron supplementation . Oral Fe
. Parenteral Fe
II- Blood transfussion
Choice of method:
It depends on three main factors:
Severity of the anaemia
Gestational Age.
Presence of additional risk factor
15.
MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT
Recommended supplementation fornon-anaemiac
30 - 60mg /day of elemental iron
Anaemic gravidas 120 –240mg / per day
In tolerance to iron tablets – enteric coated tablet /
liquid suspension
Supplementation with folic acid + Vit C.
Therapeutic results after 3 weeks – rise in Hb %
level of 0.8gm/dl/ week with good compliance.
Treatment continued in the postpartum period to
fill the stores
16.
MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT
Severe anaemia: (Hb< 8gm/dl)- preferably
parenteral theraphy in the form of I/M or I/V iron
- I/M : ( Iron sorbitol) with “Z” technique
- I/V : (iron sucrose)
Iron neede =
(Normal Hb – Pt. Hb)* Wt in Kg*2.21+1000)
17.
MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT
Dose given I/Mor I/V by slow push 100mg / day or the entire
dose given in 500 ml N/S slow I/V infusion over 1-6 hours
Marked increase in reticulocyte count expecred in 7-14 d
Blood transfusion:
may be required to treat severe anaemia near term or when
some other complication such as placenta praevia present.
Gross anaemia
Packed red cells transfusion (Under cover of loop
diuretic)
Exchange transfusion (Under cover of loop diuretic)
18.
MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT
Side effect ofFe Oral therapy:
. G. I upset.
. Constipation.
. Diarrhoea.
Parentral:
- skin discolouration
- local abscess
- allergic reaction
- Fe over load.
19.
MEGALOBLASTIC ANAEMIAMEGALOBLASTIC ANAEMIA
Complicatesupto 1% of pregnancies
Characterized by :
- RBC with high MCV
- White blood cells with altered morphology
(hypersegmented neutrophils).
Usually caused by :
- Folate deficiency may occur after exposure
to sulfa drugs or hydroxyurea
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
20.
FOLATE DEFICIENCY ANAEMIAFOLATEDEFICIENCY ANAEMIA
At cellular level
Folic acid reduced to Dihydrofolicacid then
Tetrahydro-folicacid . (THF) e is required for cell
growth & division.
So more active tissue reproduction & growth more
dependant on supply of folic acid.
So bone marrow and epithelial lining are therefore
at particular risk.
21.
FOLATE DEFICIENCY ANAEMIAFOLATEDEFICIENCY ANAEMIA
Folic acid deficiency more likely if
. Woman taking anticonvulsants.
. Multiple pregnancy.
. Hemolytic anemia; thalasemia H.spherocytosis
Maternal risk:
Megaloblastic anemia
Fetal risk:
Pre-conception deficiency cause neural
tube defect and cleft palate etc.
FOLATE DEFICIENCY ANAEMIAFOLATEDEFICIENCY ANAEMIA
Daily folate requirement for :
Non pregnant women -- 50 -100 microgram
Pregnant woman –-------- 300-400 microgram
Usually folic acid present in diets like fresh fruits
and vegetables and destroyed by cooking.
Folate deficiency:
- 0.5-1.0mg folic acid/day
If F/Hx. of neural tube defect
- 4mg folic acid/day.
24.
Vitamins BVitamins B1212DeficiencyDeficiency
It is rare
Occurs in patients with gastrectomy , ileitis, illeal
resection, pernicious anaemia, intestinal parasites.
Diagnosis:
Peripheral smear
Vitamin B12 level < 80 pico g/ml
Treatment of B12 Deficiency:
Vit B12 1mg I/M weekly for 6 weeks.
25.
HAEMOGLOBINOPATHIES.HAEMOGLOBINOPATHIES.
Normal adult Hb.after age of 6 month,
HbA---97%, HbA2---(1.5-3.5%), HbF2--<1%.
4 Globin chains associated with haem complex.
Hb. A = 2 alpha +2 beta globin chains.
Hb.A2= 2alpha+2 delta globin chains.
Hb.F = 2 alpha+ 2 gamma globin chains.
Hb. synthesis is controlled by genes.
Alpha chains by 4 gene,2 from each parent.
Beta chains by 2 genes ,1 from each parent.
26.
HAEMOGLOBINOPATHIESHAEMOGLOBINOPATHIES
DEFINITION:
Inherited disorders ofhaemoglobin.
Defect may be in:
- Globin chain synthesis------thallassemia.
- Structure of globin chains-sickle cell disease.
Hb.abnormalities may be:
- Homozygous = inherited from both parents.
(Sufferer of disease)
- Hetrozygous = inherited from one parent.
(Carrier/trait of disease)
27.
THALASSAEMIASTHALASSAEMIAS
The synthesis ofglobin chain is partially or
completely suppressed resulting in reduced Hb.
content in red cells,which then have shortened life
span.
TYPES:
- Alpha thalassaemia.
- Beta thalassaemia:
. Major
. minor
28.
Beta thallassemia minorBetathallassemia minor
Beta Thallassemia trait
Heterozygous inheritance from one parent.
Most frequent encountered variety.
Partial suppression of the Hb. synthesis.
Mild anaemia.
Investigations: Hb----around 10 g/dl.
Red cell indices: low MCV.
low MCH.
normal MCHC.
Diagnostic test: Hb. Electrophoresis.
29.
Beta Thallassemia MinorBetaThallassemia Minor
Management:
Same as normal woman in pregnancy.
Frequent Hb. Testing.
Iron & folate supplements in usual dose.
Parenteral iron should be avoided. because of
iron overload.
If not responded ---I/M folic acid.
blood transfusion close to time of delivery.
30.
Beta Thallassaemia MajorBetaThallassaemia Major
Homozygous inheritance from both parents.
Sever anaemia.
Diagnosed in paediatric era.
T/m: is blood transfusion.
ALPHA THALASSAEMIA:
Both heterozygous & homozygous forms exist.
Alpha thallassaemia trait.
HbH disease.
Alpha thallassaemia major.
31.
SICKLE CELL SYNDROME.SICKLECELL SYNDROME.
Autosomally inherited .
Structural abnormality.
HbS - susceptible to hypoxia, when oxygen
supply is reduced.
Hb precipitates & makes the RBCs rigid &
sickle shaped.
Heterozygous----HbAS.
Homozygous-----HbSS.
Compound heterozygous---HbSC etc.
32.
Sickle Cell Disease(SCD)Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)
Sickeling crises frequently occurs in pregnancy,
puerperium &in state of hypoxia like G/A and Hag.
Increased incidance of abortion and still birth
growth restriction, premature birth and intrapartum
fetal distress with increased perinatal mortality.
Sickle cell trait:(carrier state)
Does not pose any significance clinical problems
33.
SCDSCD
Diagnosis:
- Hb. Electrophoresis
-Sickledext test is screening test
Management:
- No curative Tx.
- only symptomatic
- Well hydration, effective analgesia, prophylactic
antibiotics, O2 inhalation, folic acid, oral iron
supplement (I/V iron is C/I), blood transfusion
35.
Management During labourManagementDuring labour
Comfortable Position
Adequate analgesia
O2 inhalation
Low threshold of assisted delivery
Avoid ergometrine
Prophylactic antibiotics
Continue iron &folate therapy for 3 mo after
delivery
Appropriate contraceptive advice