Maternal Vitamin A Deficiency in Pregnancy and its Relationship with Maternal and Neonatal Haemoglobin Concentration
Maternal Vitamin A Deficiency in Pregnancy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v6i3.2885Keywords:
Vitamin A Deficiency, Maternal Anemia, Neonatal Haemoglobin, Neonatal OutcomesAbstract
Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) remains a major nutritional concern, particularly in low-income countries, and is associated with maternal anemia and adverse neonatal outcomes. Objective: To assesses the correlation between maternal Vitamin A levels and hemoglobin concentrations in both mothers and neonates along with its impact on neonatal health outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Khyber medical university (Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar), over one year. Pregnant women in their third trimester were recruited based on predefined eligibility criteria. Serum Vitamin A levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and hemoglobin levels were assessed in both maternal and neonatal blood samples. Statistical analyses included t-tests, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression. Results: Among 121 participants, 84% were Vitamin A deficient (<0.70 µmol/L). Maternal hemoglobin was significantly lower in the deficient group (10.38 g/dL vs. 11.83 g/dL, p = 0.001), as was neonatal hemoglobin (13.40 g/dL vs. 14.31 g/dL, p = 0.001). Low birth weight was more common in the deficient group (31.0% vs. 10.8%), though not statistically significant after Bonferroni correction. Logistic regression confirmed Vitamin A deficiency as an independent predictor of low neonatal hemoglobin (AOR = 3.174, p = 0.043). Conclusions: Vitamin A deficiency is significantly associated with lower maternal and neonatal hemoglobin levels. These findings highlight the importance of maternal nutrition interventions to prevent anemia-related complications.
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