Maternal Anemia and its Effect on Cord Hemoglobin.

Background: Maternal anemia is a common problem during pregnancy and it can lead to adverse consequences in both the mother and the fetus. Aim of study: To determine the effect of maternal anemia on fetal cord blood hemoglobin. Materials and Methods : The study was conducted over a period of one year in Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital, a rural medical college near Chandigarh. A total of 248 pregnant women in labour were included in the study. 108 of the women were anemic with hemoglobin of less than 11g/dl. 138 women had hemoglobin more than 11gm/dl and they formed the control group. After delivery of the baby, the cord was clamped and divided. Blood for hemoglobin assessment was taken from the cord and sent for analysis. The results of cord hemoglobin were compared between the two groups. Results: Cord blood hemoglobin was lower in neonates born to anemic mothers as compared to non anemic mothers.

Determinants of lead level in umbilical cord blood.

Lead levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in umbilical cord blood samples of 205 consecutively born neonates and venous blood in 62 of the mothers. The mean (± SD) cord blood lead level was 4.7 ± 12.1 µg/dL. In the sub sample of 62 mother-baby pairs, the mean (± SD) cord blood lead levels were 1.6 ± 2.5 µg/dL and 2.0 ± 2.1 µg/dL, respectively. According to CDC risk categories, 92% babies were in Class I of which 87% had lead levels below 5 µg/dL. The mean (± SD) birthweight in <5 µg/dL category was 2640 ± 445 grams as compared to 2617 ± 408 grams in >5 µg/dL category. The mean (± SD) gestational ages were 39.1 ± 2.0 weeks and 38.1±2.0 weeks, respectively in the two groups (P=0.014). On multivariate linear analysis, lower gestational age significantly correlated with higher cord blood lead level.