More than half of pregnant women in the state have hemoglobin deficiency; Danger to newborn babies too, know expert advice

• More than half of pregnant women in the state have hemoglobin deficiency
• Newborn babies are also at risk
• Get expert advice

Anemia in pregnancy : Sunayana Sonawane : An alarming reality has come to light that more than half of the pregnant women in the state face anemia when they are on the threshold of motherhood. Medical experts explained that insufficient nutrition, lack of iron-rich food and neglect of health lead to dangerously low hemoglobin levels in pregnant women, which directly affects the health of newborn babies.

Maternal Mortality Rate: ‘The mother is safe, the family is safe’; Significant reduction in maternal mortality rate in Pune, timely examination of pregnant women has been effective

Shocking statistics

According to the National Family Health Survey 2025, 63 percent of girls aged 15 to 19 years in the country are anemic. Anemia has been diagnosed in 53 percent of women aged 19 to 49 years. The survey also mentioned that more than half of the pregnant women are anemic.

Symptoms of iron and hemoglobin deficiency

During pregnancy, the mother’s body undergoes a process of extra blood production for the growth of the baby. However, if there is a deficiency of iron in the body, the level of hemoglobin falls. As a result, symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, dull skin, irritability and physical weakness appear. If not treated and nourished at the right time, the condition can become more serious.

Effects on the baby’s health

According to experts, anemia in pregnancy increases the risk of low birth weight, premature delivery, stunted physical and mental development of the baby, low immunity and also increases the risk of anemia in newborns. Although schemes like ‘Anemia-free India’, ‘Janani Suraksha Abhiyan’, ‘Pradhan Mantri Sarkesh Matrutva Abhiyan’ are being implemented by the central and state governments, the rate of anemia is not reducing as expected.

Performance and Treatment of State Health Departments

According to the data of the state health department, 23 lakh 50 thousand 308 pregnant women were diagnosed with antenatal anemia in Maharashtra by the end of March 2026 under the ‘Anemia Free India’ campaign. Among them, 12 lakh 03 thousand 369 women were given post-partum therapeutic drugs, while 76 thousand 81 pregnant women with severe anemia were given iron injections.

Urban-rural conditions

Meanwhile, although the prevalence of anemia is higher in urban areas as compared to rural areas, the actual condition may be more serious as rural areas are under-diagnosed, according to experts. As many as 65 per cent of the 800 women screened in an anemia screening camp organized by the Pune City Gynecologist Association recently found severe anemia.

Expert advice

Gynecologist Dr. Shubhada Patil says, ‘Though the state government is implementing various campaigns, the expected public awareness about anemia among women has not been achieved. Often medicines are not taken on time, thus compounding the problem. Anemia occurs in girls as early as adolescence and at this stage they reach the stage of pregnancy. Therefore, it is necessary to take special care from adolescence to prevent anemia.’

How does advancing age affect fertility and egg quality? Learn from the experts