A Comprehensive Assessment of Prescription Patterns for Anemia Management in Pregnant Women: A Study From Anand District, India

TL;DR

This study examines how anemia in pregnant women is managed through prescriptions in Anand district, India, finding that iron and folic acid are commonly used with high adherence to safety guidelines.

Contribution

The study provides a detailed analysis of prescription trends and drug safety for anemia management in pregnant women in a specific Indian district.

Findings

Anemia prevalence remained high across all trimesters, with an overall average of 64.42%.

Iron and folic acid supplementation were consistently prescribed, aligning with essential medicine lists.

Calcium supplementation varied by trimester, while ascorbic acid and multivitamins were frequently prescribed.

Abstract

Introduction

Pregnancy induces various physiological changes, often leading to complications. Physiological anemia of pregnancy, resulting from increased plasma volume and erythropoietin levels, poses significant health risks. Adverse outcomes associated with anemia during pregnancy include maternal and perinatal mortality, premature delivery, and low birth weight. Drug utilization research aims to promote rational drug use for improving health outcomes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorizes drugs based on teratogenic risk, providing guidance for clinicians. This study aims to analyze prescription trends and FDA risk categories for anemia in pregnant women in the Anand district.

Materials and methods

The study received institutional ethics approval and involved 816 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics from December 2021 to March 2023. Participants provided informed consent, and data collection included hemoglobin (Hb) levels at each trimester, categorizing participants into anemic (Hb < 11 gm/dL) and non-anemic groups. Prescribed drugs were recorded, and their essentiality was assessed using the WHO Essential Medicines List (WHO-EML) and the National List of Essential Medicines-2022 (NLEM-2022). FDA drug risk categories were utilized for assessing drug safety. Descriptive and statistical analyses were performed.

Results

Anemia prevalence across trimesters ranged from 62.50% to 65.93%, with an overall average of 64.42%. Iron and folic acid supplementation were significant across trimesters, with varying rates of prescription. Calcium supplementation showed fluctuations, with 100% prescription rates in later trimesters. Ascorbic acid was significantly prescribed in anemic pregnant women throughout pregnancy. Multivitamins were consistently prescribed, emphasizing their importance. The WHO-EML and NLEM-2022 highlighted essential micronutrients, while FDA categories indicated drug safety.

Conclusion

Anemia prevalence remained high throughout pregnancy, emphasizing the need for consistent supplementation. Prescription patterns aligned with evidence-based guidelines, focusing on iron and folic acid supplementation. Variations in calcium prescription suggest trimester-specific considerations. Prescription trends reflect a responsible approach to managing anemia during pregnancy, emphasizing prophylactic iron and folic acid therapy. The absence of high-risk medications underscores cautious prescribing practices. This study contributes valuable insights into evidence-based pharmacotherapy and maternal health care.

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