Study of anaemia in women of reproductive age group

Abstract

Background: Women of reproductive age group are prone to anaemia owing to menstrual blood loss, poor dietary intake, increase in blood supply during pregnancy, infections etc. Aim: The present study will help in typing and diagnosis of anaemia, which in turn help to reduce the consequences. Materials and Methods: The present prospective study was carried out on a study population of women between 15 – 45 years of age that attended the clinical pathology laboratory from Dec 2019 to March 2021 at the Department of Pathology, GITAM Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Andhra Pradesh, India. Venous blood was collected in EDTA anticoagulant containing container for hematological investigations. Investigations were carried out through an automated hemocytometer and also manually. As a part of complete blood picture, all the red blood cell indices along with cell counts, differential leucocyte counts were obtained by automated analyzer. Peripheral blood smears stained with Leishman’s stain were studied in all the cases. The smears were then examined under 40X (high power) and 100X (oil immersion). Bone marrow aspiration studies, serum ferritin levels, serum iron levels were studied wherever possible in identified cases. Results: Majority of the women in the present study have normal hemoglobin levels (50.3%), 17.2 % of women show mild anaemia, 24.9% show moderate anaemia and 7.6% show severe degree of anaemia. The present study show statistically significant values (P<0.001) of MCV and RDW values in relation to hemoglobin levels in both pregnant and non-pregnant women. Conclusion: Red cell parameters like MCV and RDW are helpful in early diagnosis and early effective treatment of anaemia.