Prevalence and Influencing Factors of Post-Caesarean Section Anemia at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan: A Retrospective Observational Study
Keywords:
Anemia during pregnancy, Cesarean delivery, Postpartum anemia, Postpartum hemorrhage, WomenAbstract
Background: The prevalence of cesarean sections (CS) in Pakistan has risen alongside global trends, driven by medical necessity and patient preference. This increase raises concerns about maternal health, particularly the risk of postpartum anemia exacerbated by intraoperative blood loss. Pre-existing anemia, compounded by iron deficiency and childbirth-related factors, significantly heightens this risk. Despite global research on CS-related complications, specific studies on severe post-cesarean anemia in Pakistan are lacking. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring the prevalence and contributing factors of severe postpartum anemia following CS, which is essential for targeted interventions to enhance maternal health outcomes in Pakistan.
Methods: This retrospective observational study at Memon Medical Institute Hospital (MMIH) Karachi from January to April 2024 aimed to assess the influence of maternal blood group, parity, and previous cesarean sections on postoperative hemoglobin levels in women undergoing Lower Segment Cesarean Section (LSCS).
Results: The study included 204 patients, among whom 75.9% of the women had postoperative anemia. The analysis revealed a risk of developing anemia after a caesarean section was 17.22 times higher in females who had anemia before the procedure compared to those who did not (aOR 17.224, 95% CI: 5.137-57.744, p<0.05). Factors such as a history of multiple cesarean sections, emergency cesarean sections, and multiple parity were identified as the most common factors influencing postoperative anemia in the study.
Conclusion: Cesarean section rates are increasing globally, leading to high rates of postoperative anemia, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Our study found a 75.9% prevalence of anemia linked to preoperative hemoglobin levels, prior C-sections, and emergency procedures, highlighting the need for improved nutritional interventions and counseling.
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