Morphological patterns of anaemia among pregnant women from Sudan

Abstract

BackgroundMorphological patterns of anaemia in pregnancy are considered essential for classification, diagnosis and management of patients, especially in regions with high maternal mortality like Sudan.ObjectivesThis study evaluated morphological patterns of anaemia among pregnant women in Sudan and morphological differences across characteristics of participants.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2016 to February 2017. A total of 200 women were selected according to specific criteria. Laboratory tests were performed for complete blood count, blood smears were performed for morphology and vitamin B12, folate and iron levels were measured. Participants were classified as: normochromic normocytic, microcytic hypochromic, macrocytic or dimorphic. Further classification based on haemoglobin levels was also performed.ResultsA total of 116 participants (58%) had a dimorphic pattern, followed by 50 participants (25%) with a microcytic hypochromic pattern, 20 participants (10%) with a macrocytic pattern and 14 participants (7%) with a normochromic normocytic pattern. Participants with the dimorphic pattern also had low levels of iron and folate. The majority of dimorphic participants presented with mild anaemia, whereas the majority of participants with the microcytic hypochromic pattern presented with moderate or severe anaemia. A high percentage of participants in late pregnancy had the dimorphic pattern, and there were significant differences in the degree of anaemia by parity, gestational age and regular intake of haematinic supplements.ConclusionThe most frequent morphological pattern of anaemia in this study was dimorphic, followed by microcytic hypochromic, macrocytic and normochromic patterns. Morphological patterns appeared to predict types of vitamin and mineral deficiency and the degree of anaemia.

Prevalence and Determinants of Anaemia among Women aged 15-49 in Nepal: A Trend Analysis from Nepal Demographic and Health Surveys from 2006 to 2016

“…Lower concentration of the haemoglobin in the blood affects the circulation of oxygen throughout the body including the brain which limits the maternal and birth outcomes, leads to high morbidity and mortality among mothers and neonates, reduces the working ability and productivity including learning capacity (Harding et al, 2017). Anaemia depresses the immune system and increases the chances of morbidity both in mothers as well as neonates (Abusharib, 2019). It further influences cognitive and intellectual development, socio-economic growth, gross domestic products, and ultimately delay achieving developmental targets including Sustainable developing Development Goals [SDG](Department of Health Services, 2019).…”

Common morphologic type of anemia among pregnant teenagers in Western Uganda

“…7,8 However, it was lower than one reported by Abusharib in Sudan who noted that 58% had a dimorphic pattern (microcytic and macrocytic), followed by 25% with a microcystic pattern and 10% with a macrocytic pattern and 7% with a normocytic pattern as well as the findings of Okia et al in Uganda who found 8.3% with normocytic anemia, 50% microcytic anemia, and 41.7% macrocytic anemia. 9,10 Despite the discrepancies in the magnitude of the different types of the anemia detected, the general impression based on all these studies is that most pregnant women manifest with microcytc type of anemia. We associate this to irondeficiency problems commonly experienced by pregnant women more so the teenagers.…”

Improving the approach to assess impact of anaemia control programs during pregnancy in India: a critical analysis

“…In various studies, the prevalence of dimorphic anaemia varies from 13 to 26% in India [ 22 , 27 , 28 ]. Reports suggest that it could more than 50% also [ 29 ]. Vitamin A was reported in 3.8% (95% CI: 1.2–6.4%) of women in reproductive age group as reported from a study from southern India [ 30 ].…”