Prospective Study on Feto-maternal outcoMe In aNemIc womEn

Background Blood transfusions in pregnancy are usually urgent, unpredictable, and occur in otherwise healthy women. There is evidence of increasing rates of maternal red blood cell (RBC) transfusion around childbirth both in Europe and in US. Indeed, they are recorded in approximately 0.4-1.6% of all deliveries. Although obstetric patients use a small proportion of the blood supply overall (3-4%), however over the last years there has been a significant increase (about 30%) in the use of blood and blood products throughout pregnancy. Most available data relate to the peri-partum period, defined as those occurring from 48 hours before delivery onwards.

Anemia in pregnancy is associated with increased maternal mortality and fetal intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). The risk of these adverse effects is proportional to the severity of anemia; for instance, preterm birth and low birth weight rates are particularly high among women with a hemoglobin below 7 g/dL.

The presence of anemia in at-term pregnant women is a rather frequent and unrecognized risk factor for peri-partum hemorrhage (PPH) transfusion. In a retrospective investigation, we have calculated that almost 20% of at-term pregnant women show iron deficiency anemia. It has been suggested that reduction of RBC transfusion in the context of PPH may decrease maternal mortality and, at the same time, reduce costs.

Patient's Blood Management (PBM) is a well-known strategy based on 1) identification of anemia; 2) reduction of blood loss and 3) reduction of RBC transfusion. In several medical specialties, recommendations based on available evidence highlighted the concept that a restrictive RBC administration is safe and efficacious. Despite the fact that the WHO has recommended PBM early 2010, the majority of hospitals are in need of guidelines to apply PBM in daily practice.

Rationale Anemia is a frequent and often unrecognized hallmark of at-term pregnancies. Systematic collection of data on transfusion practice during pregnancy and post-partum period are scarce.

The application of PBM in obstetrics is expected to improve pregnancy outcome and optimize resources.

Objectives Objectives of the present study are

1. To estimate: frequency of anemia in pregnancy and feto-maternal complications, distribution of haemorrhage aetiologies and transfusion indications.
2. To evaluate associations of these outcomes with gestational age, and transfusion dose.