What harm does anemia in pregnant women do to the health of the fetus?
Anemia during pregnancy is when a pregnant woman has insufficient amounts of red blood cells or hemoglobin in her blood. If it is not treated promptly and effectively, it will not only affect the health of the pregnant woman, but may also have adverse effects on the fetus. This article elaborates on the harm of anemia in pregnant women to the fetus from aspects such as fetal development, birth weight, intellectual development and immune system.
Effects on fetal development
Anemia in pregnant women can affect the growth and development of the fetus. During the embryonic period and early fetal development, anemia will affect the fetus\’s absorption of nutrients and oxygen, leading to a decrease in placental function, thereby affecting fetal growth. Studies have found that aortic intima thickness, placental weight, and fetal head circumference in early pregnancy are all related to maternal anemia, indicating that anemia in early pregnancy can directly affect fetal growth and development.
Effects on birth weight
Maternal anemia also affects fetal birth weight. A survey showed that the birth weight of fetuses in the anemia group of pregnant women was significantly lower than that in the normal group, and the incidence of low birth weight babies was also increased accordingly. In addition, low birth weight infants are also prone to various complications, such as thoracic deformities and neurological diseases, which can cause long-term health hazards.
Effects on intellectual development
Anemia in pregnant women can also affect the intellectual development of the fetus. Anemia will increase the probability of fetal hypoxia, thereby affecting the normal development of the fetal brain. Studies have shown that babies born to anemic pregnant women tend to have slower neurological and intellectual development than babies born to normal pregnant women, and the characteristics of slow-witted babies include abnormalities in memory, concentration and hands-on ability.
Effects on the immune system
Anemia in pregnant women can also affect the fetal immune system and reduce the fetal resistance. The digestion and absorption capacity of the gastrointestinal tract of pregnant women with anemia is reduced, which affects the absorption of nutrients and adversely affects the immune development of the fetus. The development of the fetal immune system requires superior trace elements and antioxidants. Anemia will interfere with the development of the immune system and prevent the fetus from resisting risks from the external environment.
In short, anemia in pregnant women will have adverse effects on the health of the fetus and even threaten the life of the fetus. Pregnant women should pay attention to supplementing nutrients such as iron, protein, and folic acid during pregnancy to ensure the health of mother and child through effective conditioning.
