BACKGROUND: Anemia is a global health issue in both developing and developed countries with major outcomes on human health as well as economic and social development. During pregnancy, anemia is the most common form of nutrient deficiency and the most frequent pregnancy complication. Indeed, maternal anemia contributes directly or indirectly to maternal mortality and morbidity in developing countries. Anemia can have negative outcomes not only on pregnant women but also their newborns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The aims of the present cross sectional study were to determine the prevalence of anemia in pregnant women (111 women) and the effects of the pathology on the course of delivery and pregnancy of these women as well as its effects on the growth and neuropsycomotor development of the newborn (111 newborns) in Ouarzazate, Morocco. The study was carried out from April 15 to June 19, 2022 at the Ouarzazate Provincial Hospital, which receives women from the province of Ouarzazate, Morocco. Data were collected through a well-structured interview, an evaluation sheet, and performing a set of manual measurements. Descriptive analysis of data was performed using SPSS software. RESULTS: Our results showed elevated prevalence (44.1%) of maternal anemia (among women aged between 17 and 45 years). Additionally, there was a strong association between the husband’s profession and the occurrence of anemia as we found that 80% of the wives of husbands without profession are anemic. As well, there was a strong association between the nonmonitoring of pregnancy, the history of anemia, and the occurrence of anemia. Moreover, the most frequent complication in the women included in our study was premature rupture of membranes (RPM) and a high risk of scar uterus. Finally, the most frequent newborns’ complications included in our research were prematurity and respiratory distress, while the Apgar score and the archaic reflexes assessment did not show significant impairments. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of maternal anemia is elevated in our study, and it is still a major problem for not only pregnant women but also their newborns, leading to several complications. The most frequent complication in the women included in our study is premature rupture of membranes and a high risk of scar uterus. However, the most frequent newborns’ complications included in our research are prematurity and respiratory distress.
Zouhairi et al. (Mon,) studied this question.
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