Check the status of hemoglobin and weight gain of pregnant women and birth outcome before and after the earthquake varzaqhan

Abstract

Background: Pregnant women are among vulnerable groups that are more likely to be exposed to nutritional and psychological problems during natural disasters such as earthquakes. Failure to meet these needs, or even the excessive intake of nutrients by the mother for a long time, can lead to harmful effects on the fetus. Maternal weight gain and hemoglobin changes during pregnancy are valid indicators of nutritional status. In addition, if these indicators are inappropriate, they also affect the health of the mother and the probability of early birth and improper fetal growth. The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of Varzaghan earthquake on the weight gain and hemoglobin status of pregnant mothers and the implications of neonatal birth outcomes. Materials and methods: The present study was a descriptive study carried out on 550 pregnant women prior to the earthquake and 450 earthquake cases in Varzaghan city to investigate the effects of earthquake on weight gain, hemoglobin levels in pregnant mothers and birth weight outcomes.maternal weight gain based on the standard weight gain in terms of BMI, hemoglobin levels in 6-10 weeks of pregnancy and 26-30 weeks of pregnancy, birth weight, birth height, and birth head circumference of the newborns, abortion, preterm, pregnancy length were measured and compared. Data were analyzed by Paired t-test, Chi-square and logistic regression. Results: The amount of undesirable weight gain before the earthquake was 44.1%, which increased to 58.9% after the earthquake (p = 0.043). Also, the mean of hemoglobin in the first trimester before the earthquake was significantly higher than after the earthquake (p = 0.001), but this level was not significant in the third trimester of pregnancy (P = 0.350). The mean of birth weigh, birth height and birth head circumference after the earthquake had a significant decrease compared to before the earthquake (p <0.05). After the earthquake, prevalence of abortion (17.11%), stillbirth (3.78%) and preterm infant (18.91%) were significantly higher than before the earthquake (p <0.05). Based on the results of this study, after adjusting for maternal age, maternal education, pregnancy duration, preterm birth and earthquake, there was an association between normal maternal weight gain during pregnancy and birth weight (OR=1.4) and birth height (OR= 1.7). Normal hemoglobin levels in the first three months was also significantly associated with the birth weight (OR= 1.6, P = 0.021). Also, based on the results of this study, after adjusting for maternal age, mother's education, pregnancy duration, preterm and earthquake, normal hemoglobin levels in the first three months was significantly assiciated with the length of pregnancy (OR=1.5, P =0.04) Conclusion: The earthquake has a negative effect on maternal weight gain and hemoglobin, which can increase the prevalence of abortion, stillbirth and premature infants that could have undesirable effects on the birthweight, birthheight and birthhead circumference of the infants. Therefore, governments should play a critical rol in controling the crisis and protecting pregnant mothers.