Iron Deficiency Anemia and Risk of Maternal Antenatal Depression

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of IDA in pregnant females and its association with antenatal depression.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study, including 200 pregnant women, was conducted in department of OBGYN. Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi from November 2023 to May 2025. Pregnant women of age 18-45 years presenting in their 2nd to 3rd trimester of pregnancy were included. Frequency of IDA and its association with antenatal depression was determined.

Results:   The average age of participants was 30.7 (±6.1) years, with the gestational age averaging 31.6 (±5.3) weeks. Out of 200, 63 individuals (31.5%) were found to have anemia. The severity of IDA was classified as mild in 23 individuals (11.5%), moderate in 29 (14.5%), and severe in 11 (5.5%). Regarding the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) results, 84 participants (42.0%) screened positive for antenatal depression. Of the women with antenatal depression, 33, representing 52.4%, had IDA. Among the women without antenatal depression, 51 (37.2%) had IDA [OR; 1.85 (1.01 to 3.39), p-value 0.04].

Conclusion: There is a strong link between iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and depression. Women with IDA are at an increased risk of experiencing antenatal depression. The lack of screening programs for depression during pregnancy in Pakistan has likely played a significant role in the elevated rates of antenatal depression.

Keywords: Antenatal depression, iron deficiency anemia.