Anemia in the 3rd trimester of Pregnant women in rural areas of Belize.

Group Members: Hector Ayala, Gianni Alamilla, Onelia Bol, Deborah Foreman, Austin Rivera,
Ariel Cal & Florita Bolon.

What is Anemia?
● Anemia in pregnancy is defined as a hemoglobin concentration of less than 11g/dl in
venous blood. In pregnancy, it is associated with an increased rate of maternal and
perinatal mortality, premature delivery, low birth weight, and other adverse outcomes.

Who is at risk?
● Vegetarians
● Have 2 pregnancies close together
● Are pregnant with twins or more
● Have vomiting often because of morning sickness
● Are not getting enough iron from their diet and prenatal vitamins
● Had heavy periods before pregnancy

Prevalence and Types of Anemia:

Anemia occurs in up to one-third of women during the 3rd trimester.
The most common causes are:
● Iron deficiency: Occurs when the body doesn't have enough iron to produce adequate
amounts of hemoglobin. Most common type of Anemia.
● Folate deficiency: Occurs when there is a decrease in red blood cells due to a lack of
folate (Vitamin B9) in the blood.
● Vitamin B12 deficiency: Occurs when there is a low red blood cell count due to the body
lacking vitamin B12.

Signs and Symptoms of Anemia:

● Early symptoms of anemia are usually non-existent or nonspecific: fatigue, weakness,
lightheadedness, mild shortness of breath during simple activities.
● Moderate -severe anemia: rapid pulse or rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, faintness, pale
or yellowish skin, increased thirst, sore mouth and tongue, lower leg cramps, hands, and
feet become cold.
Causes of Anemia:
● Inadequate iron reserve
● Increased demands of iron
● Inadequate dietary uptake
● Blood loss every month in the menstrual period before pregnancy
● Constant vomiting due to morning sickness

Diagnosis of Anemia:
Iron Deficiency: Complete Blood Count (CBC)- Inexpensive
● Serum ferritin of < 30 ug/l together with:
● Hemoglobin of < 11 g/dl in the 1st trimester, < 10.5g/dl in the 2nd trimester and < 11g/dl
in the 3rd trimester:
Folic Acid Deficiency: Complete Blood Count and Red Blood Cell folate level
● Serum folate level of < 2.7 ng/ml (nanograms per ml)
Vitamin B12 Deficiency: complete blood count and vitamin B12 levels
● Vitamin B12 level of < 200 ng/ml (nanograms per ml)

Effects of Anemia:
● Mother: abortion, increase risk of infection, heart and lung problems, and increased risk
of perinatal morbidity and mortality
● Baby: Neural tube defects, mental problems, low birth weight, preterm birth, delayed
growth, and Increased risk of intrauterine hypoxia and growth retardation.
Treatment/ Prevention of Anemia:
● Balanced diet :
Foods high in folic acid: (Dried beans, dark green leafy vegetables, wheat germs,
and orange juice).
Food rich in iron: meat, chicken, fish, eggs, dried beans and fortified grains.
Prenatal supplements
Food high in Vitamin C: citrus fruits (oranges), raw vegetables
● Iron supplement (Ferrous sulfate): Prenatal vitamins (Nature made).