Evaluation of the Relationship between Maternal Hemoglobin and Umbilical Cord Hemoglobin Level in Term Neonates after Spinal Anesthesia

Introduction: Given the contradictory results obtained in two internal studies, the question arises as to whether there is really a relationship between umbilical cord hemoglobin and maternal hemoglobin? And can these effects change during spinal anesthesia or not? In this study, we seek to answer this question. On the other hand, considering that in recent years the use of iron and folic acid supplements in Iran in health centers has been done in a controlled manner, this study can determine the effect of supplements on maternal hemoglobin and consequently the infant. Material and Methods: This study was performed during 2018 in Al-Zahra Hospital [affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical Sciences] and in women candidates for elective cesarean section who were anesthetized under spinal anesthesia. During cesarean section, blood samples were taken from the mother and the umbilical cord of the baby and the amount was compared with each other and their relationship was investigated. Results: The mean MCV in mothers was 83.75 femtoliters [64.3-103.3] with a standard deviation of 5.82, but in infants the mean was 102.18 femtoliters [88.2-109.2] with a standard deviation of 4.69. According to p-value = 0.503 [p> 0.05], it can be said that there is no statistically significant relationship between maternal MCV and neonatal MCV. Conclusion: In this study, it was found that maternal serum hemoglobin level and neonatal umbilical cord hemoglobin were significantly related to each other. However, other parameters such as maternal age, pregnancy rank, infant weight, neonatal sex, delivery method did not show a significant relationship with umbilical cord hemoglobin level. There was also no significant relationship between MCV and MCHC levels of mothers and infants.