Maternal and neonatal hormonal profiles in anaemic pregnant women of eastern Sudan.

Summary: Anaemia affects almost two-thirds of pregnant women in developing countries; it is associated with poor maternal and perinatal outcomes. Anaemia during pregnancy, through many endocrine alterations might influence maternal and fetal environment. This study was conducted to investigate the anthropometric, biochemical and hormonal profiles in paired maternal and cord blood samples and to compare these between anaemic (n = 68) [haemoglobin <11 g/dl] and non-anaemic groups (n = 57). A case-control study was conducted in Gadarif Hospital, eastern Sudan. Sociodemographic characteristics were gathered using questionnaires. Biochemical and hormones profiles were measured using appropriate laboratory methods. There was no significant difference in maternal and fetal anthropometrics parameters between anaemic (<11 g/dl) and non-anaemic groups. Maternal prolactin, cord serum albumin and cord serum ferritin were significantly higher in the anaemic group. No significant difference was observed in the other maternal and fetal parameters (total protein, growth hormone, cortisol, insulin, thyroid stimulating hormone, total thyroxine and triodiothyroxine). Thus, in this study there were some maternal and fetal endocrine modulations due to anaemia during pregnancy and further studies are needed.