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Journal Article Epublish 2 citations

PubMed: 40114090 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-025-07439-w

Anemia in pregnant women: findings from Kuwait birth cohort study.

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 25(1):326

Authors: Abdullah Al-Taiar, Ali H Ziyab, Majeda S Hammoud, Reem Al-Sabah, Saeed Akhtar

Affiliations

  • Joint School of Public Health, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.
  • Department of Community Medicine and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Kuwait University, P. O. Box 24923, Safat, 13110, Kuwait.
  • Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait.
  • Department of Community Medicine and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Kuwait University, P. O. Box 24923, Safat, 13110, Kuwait.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Anemia is the most common hematologic disorder in pregnancy, affecting over one-third of pregnant women globally. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anemia in pregnant women and its associated factors in the Kuwait Birth Cohort study.

METHODS

The Kuwait birth cohort (n = 1,108) was a prospective study in which pregnant women were recruited during their second or third trimester. Data were collected through personal interviews during antenatal care visits, including data on sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Blood samples were analyzed under strict quality control to measure various laboratory indicators. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin (Hb) < 110 g/L. Predictors of anemia were categorized as underlying or direct factors, and logistic regression models were used to investigate their association with anemia.

RESULTS

The prevalence of anemia was 28.16% (95% CI:25.53-30.91%), with 8.75% of women experiencing moderate anemia and 19.40% mild anemia. No cases of severe anemia were observed. Multivariable analysis identified current iron supplement use, (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 0.52, 95%CI:0.28-0.99; p = 0.049), vitamin D status (sufficient vs. insufficient/deficient), (AOR 0.63, 95%CI:0.43-0.92; p = 0.018), iron levels (p < 0.001), and ferritin levels (p < 0.001) as factors significantly associated with anemia.

CONCLUSION

Anemia in pregnant women in Kuwait represents a mild to moderate public health concern, primarily driven by iron deficiency. The estimated prevalence of anemia is influenced by the Hb threshold used to define anemia, a topic currently subject to vigorous debate. Our findings suggest that improved screening for iron deficiency during pregnancy may further reduce anemia in pregnant women in Kuwait.

MeSH

Pregnant Women, Pregnancy, Parturition, Anemia, Cohort Studies, Prevalence, Iron Deficiencies