Iron deficiency anemia at admission for labor and delivery is associated with an increased risk for Cesarean section and adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes

BACKGROUND Maternal iron deficiency anemia (IDA) impacts placenta and fetus. We evaluated effects of IDA at admission for delivery on cesarean rates, and adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Medical records from Jerusalem (2005‐2012) identified women with a live‐birth singleton fetus in cephalic presentation of any gestational age and excluded planned cesarean, chronic/gestational diseases identified with anemia. Study population was divided into anemic and non‐anemic women using WHO criteria. Main outcome measures: cesarean rate, and adverse outcomes (maternal: packed cells transfusion, early post‐partum hemorrhage, preterm delivery; and neonatal: 5′ Apgar