- Home
- Editorial
- News
- Practice Guidelines
- Anesthesiology Guidelines
- Cancer Guidelines
- Cardiac Sciences Guidelines
- Critical Care Guidelines
- Dentistry Guidelines
- Dermatology Guidelines
- Diabetes and Endo Guidelines
- Diagnostics Guidelines
- ENT Guidelines
- Featured Practice Guidelines
- Gastroenterology Guidelines
- Geriatrics Guidelines
- Medicine Guidelines
- Nephrology Guidelines
- Neurosciences Guidelines
- Obs and Gynae Guidelines
- Ophthalmology Guidelines
- Orthopaedics Guidelines
- Paediatrics Guidelines
- Psychiatry Guidelines
- Pulmonology Guidelines
- Radiology Guidelines
- Surgery Guidelines
- Urology Guidelines
Treatment of Anemia In Pregnancy- Indian Guidelines
Over one third of the world’s population suffers from anemia, mostly iron deficiency anemia. India continues to be one of the countries with very high prevalence. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3) reveals the prevalence of anemia to be 70-80% in children, 70% in pregnant women and 24% in adult men. Prevalence of anemia in India is nearly two thirds of the pregnant women because of low bioavailability diet, defective absorption & chronic blood loss due to hook worm infestation & malaria and rapidly successive multiple pregnancies. Iron deficiency anemia is responsible for 95% of the anemias during pregnancy.
In India, anemia is directly or indirectly responsible for 40 percent of maternal deaths due to haemorrhage, cardiac failure ,infection & preeclampsia . India contributes to about 80 per cent of the maternal deaths due to anemia in South Asia. There is 8 to 10-fold increase in MMR when the Hb falls below 5 g/dl. Maternal anemia is associated with increased perinatal morbidity & mortality rates consequent to IUGR, preterm births, low iron stores and cognitive & affective dysfunction in the infant. India was the first developing country to take up a National Programme to prevent anemia among pregnant women and children. The National Anemia Prophylaxis Programme of iron and folic acid distribution to all pregnant women in India through the primary health care system was evolved and implemented from 1972. In order to tackle this public health problem, a multipronged 12 x 12 initiative has also been launched in the country. The initiative is targeted at all adolescents across the country with the aim for achieving hemoglobin level of 12 gm% by the age of 12 years by 2012.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has issued the Standard Treatment Guidelines for Anemia In Pregnancy. Following are the major recommendations :
Anemia is defined as a decrease in the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood due to decrease in amount of RBCs or haemoglobin or both.
I. When To Suspect / Recognize?
WHO - Hemoglobin -11gm/dl or less
-Mild 8-11 gm/dl
-Moderate 5-7 gm/dl
-Severe below 5 gm/dl
ICMR categories
-Mild 10-10.9 gm/dl
-Moderate 7-10 gm/dl
-Severe below 7gm/dl
-Very severe(decompensated) below 4gm/dl
RBC<3.2million
PCV<33%
II. Incidence Of The Condition In Our Country
Incidence- About one third of the global population(over 2 billion) are anemic
CDC-Up to 56% of all women in India are anemic (Hb < 11 g/dl)
NNMB, DLHS and ICMR surveys showed that over 70 percent of pregnant women are anemic
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 42% of all women, and 65-75% of pregnant women in our country are anemic. In India, the second National Family Health Survey in 1998–1999 (NFHS-II) showed that 54% of rural women of childbearing age were anemic compared with 46% of women in urban areas. Kerala has only a 23% prevalence of anemia compared with 62% in many northeastern states of India.
III. Differentioal Diagnosis
Nutritional
Hemorrhagic
Hemoglobinopathies
Bone marrow disorder
HIV
Drug induced
Tuberculosis
Inherited disorders
Anemia caused by inflammation, malignancy, chronic diseases & autoimmune disorders
IV. Optimal Diagnostic Criteria, Investigations, Treatment & Referral Criteria
Complete medical history and Physical examination is very important.
*Situation 1: At Secondary Hospital/ Non-Metro situation: Optimal Standards of Treatment in Situations where technology and resources are limited
a) Clinical Diagnosis:
Symptoms: 1. Weakness
2. Easy fatiguability
3. Lassitude
4. Dizziness or vertigo especially when standing
5. Headache
6. Irritability
7. Indigestion, loss of appetite
8. Breathlessness
9. Palpitations
10. Generalized swelling
11. Symptoms due to cause of anemia like yellowing of skin & mucous membranes, bleeding from rectum etc.
Signs:
1. Pallor
2. Icterus
3. Glossitis, stomatitis
4. Koilonychia
5. Tachycardia, systolic murmurs, bounding pulse
6. Fine crepitations at lung bases
7. Splenomegaly
8. Hepatomegaly
9. Edema
b)Investigations:
Hb%
PCV
Peripheral smear for immature cells, type of anemia and MP.
Urine routine and microscopy, Urine C/S if required
Stool for Routine and microscopy
USG abdomen
c) Treatment:
Although there are several different forms of anemia, this health profile will only address the three most common: iron-deficiency anemia, vitamin B12 anemia and folic acid deficiency.
Non-drug treatment
Awareness/ Education
Improvement of dietary habits-diet rich in Vit C, protein and iron, cooking in iron utensils, avoiding tea & coffee intake with meals & overcooking
Food Fortification
Social services such as improvement of sanitation & personal hygiene for eradication of helminthiasis
Annual screening for those with risk factors
Routine screening for anaemia & providing iron supplementation for adolescent girls from school days
Iron rich foods: Pulses, cereals, jaggery, Beet root, Green leafy vegetables, nuts, meat, liver, poultry, Egg, fish, legumes, dry beans, and dry fruits viz: dates, figs, apricots etc .
Drug treatment: Prophylaxis WHO recommendation
60mg elemental iron and 0.25mg folic acid daily
To be given for 6 months in countries with prevalence <40% & additional 3 months postpartum where the prevalence >40%
Government of India recommendation
100mg elemental iron and 0.5mg folic acid daily
To be given in the second half of pregnancy and lactation for at least 100 days Ferrous sulphate is least expensive and best absorbed form of iron. It also allows more elemental iron absorbed per gram administered. If for some reason, this is not tolerated, then ferrous gluconate & fumarate are the next choice for iron therapy.
Treatment of Iron deficiency has included:
Oral iron
Parenteral iron
Blood transfusion
Oral Iron
- First line therapy
- 200mg FeSo4 (60mg elemental iron)2- 3 times daily in conjunction with folic acid.
- If patient is non-compliant to oral therapy or if there is gastritis, then reduce doses & give it after meals or change over to ascorbic acid/ carbonyl iron or parenteral therapy.
- Diagnostic reevaluation if there is no significant clinical or haematological improvement within 3 weeks.
Parenteral Therapy:
Indications:
- Hb less than 7g/dl and pregnancy >30 weeks
- Malabsorption Syndrome
- Incapacitating side effects with oral iron
Preparations:
- Iron sucrose -
Iron dextran
- Iron sorbitol citrate
Total iron deficit (mg) = Amount of iron deficit + amount of iron to replenish stores Amount of iron deficit (mg) = (Hb target- Hb initial)gm/dl x Body wt (Kg) × 2.2 + Stores
Or
( 100-Hb initial)% x Body wt (Pounds) x 0.3 + Stores
where
Stores (mg) = 50% of deficit or approx 1000mg
Iron Sucrose Complex is considered to show a significant improvement of Hb and iron stores in pregnant women.
The target Hb may be taken as 11gm% for the Indian population according to WHO guidelines.
Deworming necessary :
- Albendazole 400 mg single dose
- Mebendazole 500 mg single dose or 100 mg twice daily for 3 days
- Levamisole 2.5 mg/kg single dose, best if a second dose is repeated on next 2 consecutive days
- Pyrantel 10 mg/kg single dose, best if dose is repeated on next 2 consecutive days
- To prevent recurrence, patients should be advised to use footwear, improve sanitation, and personal hygiene.
Malaria prophylaxis in endemic area to be treated.
Treatment of Folic Acid/ Vitamin B12 deficiency
Tab. Folic acid 5 mg daily
Prophylactic - all woman of reproductive age should be given 400mcg of folic acid daily.
Preventive daily or intermittent iron or iron+folic acid supplementation taken by women during pregnancy reduces anaemia in mothers. There is evidence that taking iron or iron and folic acid daily or intermittently has a similar effect in reducing anaemia at term and improving haemoglobin concentrations in the mother.
Vitamin B12 deficiency:
Oral preparation of Vitamin B12 (not very effective)
In Moderate cases- 1000mcg of Parenteral Cynocobalamine every month
In Severe cases 1000mcg/day for 1 week, following by weekly for 1 month
Referral criteria:
Hb less than 5 gm% in all trimesters, less than 7gm% if >36weeks
Cases not responding to treatment
Associated with medical disorders eg:leukaemias/ other obstetric complications
Haemolysis or evidence of bone marrow suppression
Other types of anemia(Sickle cell anemia, Thalasemia)
Level II USG to rule out fetal complication/ compromise by CVS/ Amniocentesis .
If any of the below suspected, as the below are common in pregnancy:
- Maternal risks during Antenatal period: Poor weight gain, preeclampsia, eclampsia, placenta previa, accidental haemorrhage, premature rupture of membranes, pre term labour, cardiac failure etc.
- Maternal risks during Intranatal period: Dysfunctional labour, accidental hemorrhage, shock, anesthesia risk, cardiac failure, if signs of respiratory distress
- Maternal risks during Postnatal period: Postnatal sepsis, sub involution, embolism, PPH (primary, secondary).
Situation 2: At Super Specialty Facility in Metro location where higher-end technology is available
A) Clinical Diagnosis: Same as situation 1
B)Investigations:
Same as situation 1, in addition
CBC with peripheral smear
Reticulocyte count
Red cell indices
LFT, RFT, LDH
Coombs Test
Iron studies
- serum iron
- serum iron binding capacity
- serum ferritin
Hb electrophoresis
Bone marrow aspiration/ Biopsy
C)Treatment: Same as situation 1
Confirm iron deficiency anaemia
Treatment of IDA includes :
Oral iron,
Parenteral iron,
Recombinant erythropoietin and
Blood transfusion
Inj. Iron Dextran (50 mg / ml elemental iron) 2 cc IM on alternate day after test dose x 10 injections by Z technique.
Blood Transfusion
Packed cells to be transfused.
Indications
- Hb < 7 gm/dl & POG > 36 weeks
- Hb < 6 gm/dl & POG < 36 weeks
- CHF due to anaemia(exchange transfusion)
- Replenish blood loss due to APH/PPH
-Not responding to oral & parenteral therapy
Diagnosis & management of sickle cell disease, Haemoglobinopathies, Pancytopenia in cases not responsive to iron.
Manage congestive cardiac failure/ PIH / Placenta Previa if associated/ where indicated.
Megaloblastic Anemia
VitB 12 or Folic Acid Supplementation
Labour Management:
Oxygen and other measures to deal with heart failure and PPH to be kept ready.
To cut short second stage by Outlet forceps/vacuum delivery of fetus.
To routinely employ active management of third stage of labour.
LSCS only for Obstetric Indications .
Postpartum Management:
Iron should be continued till the patient restores her normal clinical & haematological state & for an additional 3 months for store replenishment.
Dietary advice
Effective method of contraception as per WHO guidelines & should not conceive for atleast 2 years giving time for iron stores to recover.
Sterilization is preferred if the family is complete.
Resources Required For One Patient/ Procedure (Patient Weight 60 Kgs)
(Units to be specified for human resources, investigations, drugs, and consumables and equipment. Quantity to also be specified)
Situation | Human resources | Investigations | Drugs and consumables | Equipment |
1. At Secondary Hospital/ Non-Metro situation Optimal Standards of Treatment in Situations where technology and resources are limited | Obstetrician Physician Pathologist Lab technician House keeping | Hb% PCV RBC Peripheral smear Urine routine and microscopy Stool for Routine and Microscopy | Gloves x 10 pairs Drapes for delivery/Caesarean Suture materials Foleys catheter Urobag Venflons Drip sets IVFluids Antiseptics, Compatible blood/packed cells | Stethoscope BP apparatus Pulse oximeter USG machine ECG monitors Lab equipment Labour room, CTG Labour couch Delivery/Caesarean tray Vacuum apparatus Boyles appar OT table Light source Oxygen Suction Baby warmer |
2. At Super Specialty Facility in Metro location where higher-end technology is available | Obstetrician Pathologist Anaesthetist Neonatologist Intensivist Nurses x 5 OT technician Lab technician Porters House keeping | CBC Peripheral blood smear Reticulocyte count Urine routine and microscopy Stool for Routine and Microscopy Iron studies LFT,RFT,LDH Coombs Test Hb electrophoresis Bone marrow aspiration/ Biopsy | Gloves x 15 pairs Drapes for delivery/Caesarean Suture materials Foleys catheter Urobag CVP line Arterial line Venflons Drip sets IVFluids Epidural anaesthesia kit General anaesthesia kit Drugs to manage cardiac failure , PPH | Stethoscope BP apparatus Pulse oximeter USG machine ECG Lab equipment Automated cell counter Biochemistry analyser Labour room, CTG Labour couch Delivery tray Caesarean tray Vacuum apparatus Boyles apparatus OT table Light source Oxygen Suction ICU bed Syringe pumps Baby warmer |
Guidelines developed by
- Dr. Lavanya.R ( Dept. of OBG, Narayana Hrudayalaya) Karnataka,
- Dr. Sharath Damodhar( HOD, Dept. of Haemotology, Narayana Hrudayalaya) Karnataka,
- Dr.Basavaraju Narasimhaiah, DGO, Tumkur Government Hospital, Karnataka,
Disclaimer: This site is primarily intended for healthcare professionals. Any content/information on this website does not replace the advice of medical and/or health professionals and should not be construed as medical/diagnostic advice/endorsement or prescription. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use, privacy policy, advertisement policy. © 2020 Minerva Medical Treatment Pvt Ltd