Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 9 (6): 562-566, 2010 ISSN 1680-5194 © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2010 Corresponding Author: Norimah A. Karim, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, UKM, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 562 Haemoglobin and Serum Ferritin Levels in Newborn Babies Born to Anaemic Iranian Women: a Cross-Sectional Study in an Iranian Hospital Reihaneh Hadipour , Norimah A.K. , Poh. B.K. , F. Firoozehchian , Raheleh Hadipour and A. Akaberi 1 1 1 2 4 3 Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, 1 Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Zeynab University of Guilan East, Iran 2 Faculty of Biostatistics, Sabzevar University of Medical Science, Sabzevar, Iran 3 Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran 4 Abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the haemoglobin and serum ferritin levels in newborn babies of anaemic mothers and to determine relationship between maternal iron status with neonatal biochemical and anthropometric characteristics. A total of 70 pregnant women aged between 17 and 40 years were divided into two groups based on their pre-delivery Haemoglobin (Hb) and Serum Ferritin (SF) concentrations; anaemic mothers Hb<11 g/dl and SF > 10 ng/ml; normal control group Hb > 11 g/dl and SF > 10 ng/ml. Maternal biochemical assessments were obtained before delivery and neonatal anthropometric and biochemical measurements were obtained immediately after delivery. Mean maternal haemoglobin and serum ferritin levels were 11.2±1.16 (g/dl) and 45.8±20.8 (ng/ml), respectively. Incidence of anaemia among Iranian pregnant women in this study was 51.4%. Mean neonatal weight, length and head circumference born to anaemic mothers was 2.8±0.23 kg, 47.9±1.0 cm and 31.5±0.9 cm, respectively, while, among neonates born to normal mothers were 3.3±0.1 kg, 49.6±0.8 cm and 33.7±0.6 cm, respectively. No significant correlation were found between neonatal and maternal serum ferritin concentration. Significant differences were found between neonatal haemoglobin levels from normal and anaemic mothers (p<0.001). Maternal Hb level showed significant (p<0.001) positive correlation with neonatal birth weight (r = 0.729), length (r = 0.665) and head circumference (r = 0.762). However, similar positive correlations were not found between maternal serum ferritin concentration and pregnancy outcome. Neonatal haemoglobin levels were positively correlated with that of their mothers’ (r = 0.423, p<0.001). In conclusion, this study showed that maternal haemoglobin concentration had strong influence on neonatal parameters. Key words: Anaemia, haemoglobin, ferritin, pregnant women, newborn babies, Iran INTRODUCTION Anaemia is a serious problem for women of child- bearing age and it can have devastating effects on their babies. Anaemia is usually caused by deficiencies of iron and, rarely, of folic acid (folate). Some people have anaemia due to more than one of these factors (Collins, 2008). Blood loss is the most common cause of anaemia, especially iron deficiency anaemia. Some factors such as blood loss due to heavy menstrual periods, bleeding of the digestive tract and surgery would result in the reduction of iron stores and consequently, gradual development of anemia (Turgeon, 2004). Women, in general, have smaller stores of iron than men and experience blood loss through menstruation. Therefore, anaemia is more common in women than in men. During pregnancy, iron stores need to support the needs of mother and her growing fetus, which is the required iron for the development of red blood cells, blood vessels and muscles (Turgeon, 2004). The World Health Organization estimated that about 40% of the world’s population (more than 2 billion individuals) suffers from anaemia (World Health Organization, 2000). In Asia, the prevalence of anaemia was estimated to be 44% in non-pregnant women and 60% in pregnant women (Rush, 2000). Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education (1995) reported that the prevalence of anaemia among Iranian women aged 15-49 is 33.34% but there is limited information regarding the prevalence of anaemia in pregnant women. Epidemiological studies which were limited determine the prevalence rate of anaemia on pregnant women, however some showed a rate 51% pregnant women; Childbearing age women generally suffer from anaemia (Abel et al., 2000). This study was carried out to assess the prevalence of anaemia among Iranian pregnant women and determine the haemoglobin and serum ferritin levels in newborn babies from anaemic mothers. This study also determined the relationship between maternal iron