Iron deficiency anemia in adolescent pregnancy: investigation of its effects and the related factors

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescentpregnancies and their maternal and fetal complications are a global healthburden. Iron deficiency anemia is among the factors, which might contribute tothese negative consequences. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the frequencyof iron deficiency anemia among pregnant adolescents followed at the DüzceUniversity Medical Faculty Hospital and to investigate its maternal and fetaleffects. Methods: A totalof 122 pregnant women under 19 years of age were included in this case-controlstudy. The socio-economic characteristics, hematological status, and adversematernal and perinatal outcomes possibly related to iron deficiency anemia wereevaluated.Results: The incidence of anemia among the studied women was 29.5%, and 56.5%were receiving iron supplementation. Oral iron supplementation rate was 33.3%in the anemic group and 66.2% in the non-anemic group (p = 0.01). While theserum ferritin and hemoglobin levels were lower in the anemic group, ironbinding capacity was lower in the non-anemic group, and the difference betweenthe groups was statistically significant (p = 0.01, p = 0.01, and p = 0.02;respectively). Concerning adverse perinatal outcomes, preeclampsia was seen in11.4% of the anemic group and 4.6% in the non-anemic group; the difference wasstatistically significant (p = 0.01).Conclusions: Iron deficiency anemia is a common problem in adolescent pregnancy.However, many anemic pregnant adolescents do not receive iron treatment.Positive effects on some maternal and perinatal outcomes can be achieved byadministering iron supplementation to these women. Iron use should be increasedto combat iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy.

Keywords

• adolescent pregnancy
• anemia
• iron deficiency
• adölesan gebelik
• anemi
• demir eksikliği