Research Proposal on Anemia
EFFECTIVENESS OF PROPHYLACTIC IRON AND FOLIC ACID IN PREVENTING MATERNAL ANEMIA AMONG VEGETARIANS-A CASE CONTROL STUDY
INTRODUCTION: Anemia complicating pregnancy poses a considerable danger to pregnant women and the fetal outcomes. Maternal anemia is defined as presence of less than 9gm% of hemoglobin in blood (Van Hove et. al, 2000). There is a significant risk of premature delivery and miscarriage in anemic women. The fetus is also at risk for low birth weight and severe anemia is associated with increased maternal mortalities (Oats J, Abraham S 2005). The two main types of anemia encountered during pregnancy are Iron deficiency anemia and Folate deficiency anemia. As the pregnancy advances there is an increased demand for dietary iron and folic acid. The dietary source of iron and folic acid are not sufficient to meet the demand. The anemia tends to worsen as the pregnancy progresses because of increased demand. The prevalence of maternal anemia is very high among the southern states of India. Among the other causes, a probable reason for this high incidence could be the exclusive vegetarian diet followed by majority of the population residing in the region (Antony A C, 2001). The diet does not include any animal products including milk and milk derivatives.
OBJECTIVE: It is evident that those pregnant women who strictly follow vegetarian diet are at a higher risk for developing anemia (Letsky A E, 2001). In India the regular antenatal care provided at the Maternity Centers run by the state governments includes one time investigation for the presence of anemia at the end of first trimester and the subsequent test is done when the period of gestation reaches full term. Prophylactic iron and folic acid in the form of nutritional supplements are given only to those mothers who are diagnosed to have anemia at the end of first trimester (Yadav R J et. al, 2009). Hence there is a possibility of a failure to provide prophylactic iron and folic acid
INTRODUCTION: Anemia complicating pregnancy poses a considerable danger to pregnant women and the fetal outcomes. Maternal anemia is defined as presence of less than 9gm% of hemoglobin in blood (Van Hove et. al, 2000). There is a significant risk of premature delivery and miscarriage in anemic women. The fetus is also at risk for low birth weight and severe anemia is associated with increased maternal mortalities (Oats J, Abraham S 2005). The two main types of anemia encountered during pregnancy are Iron deficiency anemia and Folate deficiency anemia. As the pregnancy advances there is an increased demand for dietary iron and folic acid. The dietary source of iron and folic acid are not sufficient to meet the demand. The anemia tends to worsen as the pregnancy progresses because of increased demand. The prevalence of maternal anemia is very high among the southern states of India. Among the other causes, a probable reason for this high incidence could be the exclusive vegetarian diet followed by majority of the population residing in the region (Antony A C, 2001). The diet does not include any animal products including milk and milk derivatives.
OBJECTIVE: It is evident that those pregnant women who strictly follow vegetarian diet are at a higher risk for developing anemia (Letsky A E, 2001). In India the regular antenatal care provided at the Maternity Centers run by the state governments includes one time investigation for the presence of anemia at the end of first trimester and the subsequent test is done when the period of gestation reaches full term. Prophylactic iron and folic acid in the form of nutritional supplements are given only to those mothers who are diagnosed to have anemia at the end of first trimester (Yadav R J et. al, 2009). Hence there is a possibility of a failure to provide prophylactic iron and folic acid