Relevancy of Basic Hematological Parameters in the Prognostic Evaluation of 80 Pregnant Women in SDH and B.C. Roy Hospital: An Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Anemia during pregnancy remains a significant public health
challenge, particularly in developing and semi-urban regions, where it poses
substantial risks to both maternal and fetal outcomes. Iron deficiency is the most
prevalent cause, often leading to microcytic hypochromic anemia.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic relevance of basic
hematological and biochemical parameters in diagnosing and classifying anemia
among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at Sub-Divisional Hospital (SDH)
and B.C. Roy Hospital in West Bengal, India.
Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted from January to June
2024 involving 80 pregnant women aged 18–35 years in their second trimester.
Hematological indices such as Hemoglobin (Hb), Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Mean
Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH), Mean
Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), and biochemical markers
including Serum Ferritin and Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) were analyzed.
Data were assessed using SPSS v25, with significance set at p<0.05.
Results: Over 75% of participants were found to be anemic, with mild anemia
(37.5%) being most common, followed by moderate (31.2%) and severe (6.2%)
anemia. The majority showed microcytic hypochromic profiles, and serum ferritin
levels were below 15 ng/mL in 52 women, indicating iron deficiency. TIBC levels
were inversely related to serum ferritin, further supporting this diagnosis.
Conclusion: Basic hematological and biochemical parameters are effective tools in
the early detection and classification of anemia in pregnancy. Their integration into
routine antenatal care, particularly in resource-limited settings, can significantly
improve maternal health outcomes.