The relationship between the degree of maternal iron deficiency anemia and fetal neonatal hypoxemia: A cross-sectional study

Aim. Chronic maternal iron deficiency anemia has been found to be related with preterm delivery, low birth weight and intrauterine growth retardation. The potential detrimental effects of maternal anemia on the transplacental fetal oxygen extraction during labor have not been investigated yet. Method. Upon the spontaneous initiation of delivery among 32 term pregnant women, half of them with hemoglobin values lower than 9.5gr/dL as anemic group, have been included to the study. Arterial cord blood samples have been collected immediately after delivery. Neonatal Apgar scores, birth weight and cord blood analysis of pH, PaO2, PaCO2, O2 saturation and HCO3 have been recorded. Results. The mean hemoglobin levels of the anemic and non-anemic patients were 7.69±1.14 gr/dL and 10.5 ±0.67gr/dL respectively. Neonatal cord blood PaO2 and O2 saturation of the non-anemic patients were significantly higher than anemic patients (84.3 vs. 41.3 mmHg for PaO2 and 69.5% vs. 42.6% for O2 saturation respectively). No significant difference in cord blood PaCO2, pH and HCO3 levels were found between anemic and non anemic ones. Conclusion. Although third trimester maternal iron deficiency anemia decreases neonatal cord blood PaO2 and O2 saturation levels; apart from severe ones, it does not result in neonatal hypoxemia generally. The possible effects of maternal iron deficiency anemia that can deteriorate transplacental oxygen transport to the fetus and neonatal acid-base status of the newborn should be clarified by further studies based on the short and long term clinical results of neonatal hypoxemia in the newborn’s physiological state.