Study of hemoglobin levels among pregnant women in different trimesters at a tertiary hospital
Abstract: Background: Pregnancy increases the demand for nutrients and hemoglobin. Besides these, physiological changes in blood parameters also occurs during pregnancy. Anemia in pregnancy is a serious condition contributing to increased maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Present study has been undertaken with the knowledge of hemoglobin values and its distribution in different trimesters of pregnancy.
Material and Methods: Present study was single-center, prospective, comparative, parallel-group, observational study, conducted in pregnant women attended the ANC OPD or admitted in antenatal ward and sixty healthy non-pregnant women of same age group.
Results: The mean hemoglobin value was \(12.23\pm1.32 gm\) % throughout pregnancy. In control group the mean value was \(12.59 \pm 2.50 gm\)%. Statistically significant variation was observed between control and each trimester of pregnancy \((p<0.05)\). Significant difference observed between 1st and 2nd trimester \((p < 0.05)\) and 2nd and 3rd trimester \((p < 0.05)\). When compared between 1st and 3rd trimester, difference was not significant \((p>0.05)\) Hemoglobin values are lower in pregnant cases as compared to non-pregnant subjects \((p<0.05)\). Lowest hemoglobin value is observed in 2nd trimester in maximum number of cases. Mean hemoglobin level was found lower in pregnant women with gravidity more than 1 as compared to primigravidae.
Conclusion: A significant association was observed between hemoglobin level and trimester of pregnancy. High occurrence of low hemoglobin level in pregnant women was found belonging to lower socioeconomic class. Maternal hemoglobin value decreases with increase in gestational age.