Community Medicine Abstracts - College of Medicine and Health ...

Project No. 13 (1992)Prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anemia and its Effect on the Outcome ofPregnancy among UAE Pregnant Women in Tawam Hospital, Al AinStudent Authors: Asma Al JanahiFaculty Supervisors: Dr. E. Adekolu-John, Dr. M. MoussaAbstract:Objectives Iron deficiency anaemia is one of the common types of anaemia worldwidedespite it’s low cost intervention. Two third of children and women in child bearing agein developing countries are estimated to have iron deficiency anaemia, but it is foundin all societies.Methods Retrospective survey of iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy among 208randomly selected UAE pregnant women were conducted in Tawam Hospital. Therelevant obstetric data were abstracted from clinical notes in Tawam Hospital’s Medicalrecords department, to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia and itseffect on the outcome of pregnancy among UAE pregnant women in Tawam Hospital,Al Ain.Results The prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia among pregnant women was foundto be 22.1% which is close to Egypt and lower than Kuwait, Bahrain and otherdeveloping countries with significant effect on the hematological parameters.17.4% ofwomen needed blood transfusion; while among 60% of iron deficient women, babieshad lower than average birth weight. Placental weight of the anaemic subjects waswithin normal range. Susceptibility to infection and inability to withstand hemorrhagedid not significantly increase.Conclusion We recommend higher emphasis on nutritional education of pregnantwomen as well as joint supplement.