Abstract

Aim: To assess the association of preterm delivery with maternal anemia in females presenting in active labour for delivery

Methodology: Case Control study conducted in Unit III, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Fatima Memorial Hospital Lahore during a period of six months from 12-5-2017 to 13-11-2017. Total 280 pregnant females fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included. Then females were divided in two groups i.e. cases undergoing preterm delivery and controls undergoing delivery at term. Then blood sample was obtained and sent to the laboratory of the hospital for assessment of hemoglobin level.

Results: In this study mean age of cases and controls was 31.29±5.40 and 30.76±5.89 years respectively. Among cases anemia was diagnosed in 80(57.1%) women and among control it was diagnosed in 47(33.6%) women. Risk of maternal anemia was 2.63 times higher for cases as compared to controls.

Conclusion:There is high risk of anemia in women with preterm delivery, however, it can be considered as a potential risk factor for preterm delivery among women and must be treated in advance to avoid and minimize certain complications.