Consequences of maternal anaemia on outcome of pregnancy in a malaria endemic area in Papua New Guinea

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Abstract
The prevalence of anaemia during pregnancy was investigated in relation to parasite and spleen rates of pregnant women living in a defined study area in rural Madang, Papua New Guinea. The effects in pregnancy of anaemia, iron deficiency and malaria on the foetus were investigated. There is a high prevalence of anaemia in this population, with 44% of primigravidae and 29% of multigravidae having severe anaemia [haemoglobin (Hb) −1] after 28 weeks gestation. The odds ratio for severe anaemia at 0–16 weeks gestation in pregnant compared to non-pregnant women was 4·7 (P 35 μg dl−1 whole blood) at antenatal booking. The risk of severe anaemia was significantly associated with splenomegaly and iron deficiency for all gravidae (splenomegaly PP−1, P−1, P−1, which corresponded to the lower quartile value at booking and delivery. A significantly increased risk of low birthweight was shown for primigravidae with values below 8 g dl−1 (65% v. 27%, P<0·025), but the prematurity rate was not significantly increased, indicating that the majority of babies were growth-retarded. Early pregnancy anaemia and iron deficiency were related to the risk of low birthweight in primigravidae. Current parasitaemia at delivery appeared a less important factor, although primigravidae with severe anaemia and parasitaemia at delivery had the lowest birthweights. The extent to which malaria control, using drug treatment and chemoprophylaxis, can reduce the risk of low birthweight will vary in relation to the prevalence and causes of anaemia in women.