Iron Deficiency Anemia in pregnant women at GMMMC Teaching Hospital Sukkur.

Abstract

Objective: To determine iron deficiency anemia (IDA) among pregnant women at GMMMC Teaching Hospital, Sukkur, Pakistan. Study Design: Across-sectional study. Setting: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, GMMMC Teaching Hospital, Sukkur. Period: June, 2024 to May, 2025. Methods: Pregnant women aged 18-40 years attending outpatient antenatal clinics were enrolled by consecutive sampling. Hemoglobin (Hb), red cell indices (MCV, MCH), serum ferritin and serum iron were measured (automated hematology analyzer and standard biochemical assays). Anemia was defined using WHO hemoglobin thresholds for pregnancy; IDA was diagnosed as anemia with ferritin <15 ng/mL together with low serum iron (<50 µg/dL) and microcytosis. Sociodemographic and obstetric variables (trimester, parity, interpregnancy interval, dietary iron intake and socioeconomic status) and symptoms were recorded on a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed on SPSS 26 using descriptive statistics; was done using chi-square tests (p<0.05). Results: Among 1,240 pregnant women, 726 (58.5%) were anemic and 514 (41.5%) met criteria for IDA (70.8% of anemic women). IDA was most frequent in the third trimester (249/514, 48.4%) and among multiparous women (≥G2: 386/514, 75.1%). Mean Hb in IDA cases was 8.9±1.2 g/dL, mean ferritin 10.8±3.4 ng/mL and mean serum iron 38.6±6.8 µg/dL. Common symptoms were fatigue (82.7%), pallor (78.2%) and dizziness (43.4%). Low dietary iron intake (p<0.001), short birth spacing <2 years (p=0.002), multiparity (p=0.01) and low socioeconomic status (p<0.001) were significantly associated with IDA. Parenteral iron was required in 48 (9.3%) women and 5 (1.0%) required blood transfusion. Conclusion: IDA remains highly prevalent among pregnant women in Sukkur, predominantly affecting women in late pregnancy and those with high parity and socioeconomic disadvantage. Strengthening routine screening, nutrition counseling, iron supplementation adherence and birth spacing is essential.