Maternal hemoglobin and serum albumin and fetal growth.

Four hundred and eighty four pregnant women and their offsprings were studied to determine the relationship of maternal hemoglobin and serum protein levels on the birthweight of offspring. The correlation coefficient of maternal hemoglobin as well as serum albumin level (gamma = 0.1097 and 0.0936, respectively) with birthweight were not statistically significant. However, mean birthweight of neonates born to nonanemic mothers was significantly higher than of those born to anemic mothers. The prevalence of low birthweight babies was significantly higher among anemic mothers (p < 0.01); however, no such trend was observed in relation to maternal serum albumin (p > 0.05).