While health experts in Madurai say that the number of women with anaemia has been getting noticeably higher, they point to a host of factors at play.
Iron deficiency is usually the most common cause of anaemia and it is generally advisable that women have at least 11 mg of haemoglobin in their blood.
Anything less than 6 mg is a cause for concern, doctors say.
Doctors at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of Government Rajaji Hospital said that more than 70 per cent of the women who were treated in the department were suffering from nutrition deficiency.
“Most of the women in the reproductive age group often come to us during the later stages of pregnancy when we find out that they are suffering from severe anaemia. In the last few months, a few pregnant women were found to have only 3 mg of haemoglobin,” said T. Uma Devi, Head of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department at the GRH.
“Anaemia due to nutritional deficiency in rural and poor women is often due to the fact that they chose to eat last in their houses and give up their share for their children. We keep telling pregnant women to take a balanced diet and nutritional supplements, but it is often to no avail,” she added.
S. Padma, Head of the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics at Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre, said that unwanted pregnancies and miscarriages resulting in loss of blood was also becoming another major reason for women having severe anaemia, of late.
“We advise them on the use of contraceptives and not to put their health at risk. Planned pregnancies and adequate time between them for women to recover and become physically strong is necessary,” she explained.
Among the urban and upper middle class women, lifestyle changes and dietary patterns have led to the high risk of the prevalence of anaemia.
“Junk foods are fast replacing the greens that were once consumed in many households. A diet filled with leafy greens such as the ‘murungai’ spinach is a must for adolescent girls who have just attained puberty,” a gynaecologist said.
