Anemia
Prevalence and Hematological Profile of Anemia Among Third-Trimester Pregnant Women: A Retrospective Study From Al Adan Hospital, Kuwait
By Alwazzan H, Varghese SJ, Youssef FAF and 1 others.
Abstract
Background
Anemia during pregnancy remains a significant global health problem, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where nutritional deficiencies are prevalent. Despite established antenatal screening programs, data on the prevalence and hematological characteristics of anemia among pregnant women in Kuwait are limited.
Objective
To determine the prevalence, severity, and hematological profile of anemia among third-trimester pregnant women attending Al Adan Hospital, Kuwait.
Methods
This retrospective observational study analyzed medical records of 5129 third-trimester pregnant women who received antenatal care between January 2022 and December 2023. Demographic and hematological data-including hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and ferritin-were collected. Anemia was classified using the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, and iron deficiency anemia was defined by ferritin < 30 ng/mL. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and Pearson's correlation analysis.