Anemia is defined as haemoglobin level in the blood below the lower extreme of the normal range for the age and sex of the individual. According to WHO, in developing countries the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women averages 60%, ranging between 35 to 100% among different regions of the world. A hemoglobin concentration below 11.0g/dl or packed cell volume (PCV) of less than 33.0% is regarded as anemia during pregnancy by the WHO. It occurs in 40-80% of the pregnant women. Iron and folic acid deficiencies, malaria, intestinal parasitic infections and hemoglobinopathies are the principal causes of anemia in pregnancy. Predisposing factors include young age, grand multiparity, low socioeconomic status, illiteracy, ignorance and short intervals of pregnancy. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To study various patterns of anemia in pregnant women having haemoglobin level < 11 gm%. 2. To determine the most common pattern of anemia in pregnancy based on red cell morphology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a prospective study over a period of one year from September 2014 to August 2015 in the department of pathology, Andhra medical college, Visakhapatnam. The study was conducted on 120 pregnant women whose haemoglobin level is <11 gm/dl. All the haemotological parameters & peripheral blood smear stained by Leishman's stain were evaluated. Complete clinical & obstetric history was recorded. Socioeconomic status was also noted. RESULTS: Out of 120 cases of anemia, we found 47 patients (39.1%) having dimorphic anemia, 36(30%)-microcytic hypochromic anemia, 23(19.1%)-normocytic hypochromic anemia, 11(9.16%)-sickle cell anemia and 1(0.83%) case of pancytopenia. Maximum cases were seen in the age group of 21-30 years. 52 cases (43.3%) were primigravida and remaining 68 cases (56.6%) were gravida two to four. 20 cases (16.6%) were diagnosed in the first trimester, 38 cases (31.6%) in the second trimester & 62 cases (51.6s%) in the third trimester. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the common morphological patterns of anemia in this study are dimorphic anemia and microcytic hypochromic anemia. More common in the multigravida & in the third trimester of pregnancy. After the 1 st trimester there is increased fetal demand & hemodilution effect and thus anemia occurs commonly in this period. The risk factors for anemia in this study are low socioeconomic status, multiparity & H/O complications during previous pregnancy. The socioeconomic conditions must be improved, early detection & good antenatal care to be provided for the prevention of anemia in pregnancy.

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