[Anemia in puerperium--a retrospective analysis].

In 10,393 patients delivered in our hospital between 4/1986 and 8/1992 prevalence of anemia post partum was determined retrospectively. Post partum anemia was classified according to blood hemoglobin content: mild to moderate anemia (6.0-7.0 mmol/l) and severe anemia (< 6.0 mmol/l). After exclusion of patients with high intrapartal blood loss and/or febrile puerperium overall prevalence of anemia increased from 33.78% in 1986 to 49.46% in 1992 (p < 0.01). The portion of patients with blood hemoglobin < 5.4 mmol/l remained stable with 5.6% during observation period. The presented data stress the need for general iron supplementation during pregnancy and puerperium.