Abstract:
Background: Anemia is a clinical condition in which the number of circulating red blood cells is insufficient to meet the body’s physiologic demands. The etiology of anemia is multifactorial, but iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia in low- and middle-income countries. Premature infants are vulnerable to anemia because they have low reserves, and they are exposed to an environment that exacerbates nutritional deficiencies. Despite many documented factors influence the development of anemia in preterm infants, little is known about the magnitude of anemia and associated factors in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area.
Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the magnitude of anemia and associated factors among preterm infants having follow-up at high-risk infant clinic, Ambo University Referral Hospital, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2025
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using 331 Medical records selected by a simple random sampling method in Ambo University Referral Hospital from January 1, 2023, to December 30, 2024. A pretested structured data extraction checklist was used for data collection. Data was collected using the Kobo Toolbox and then exported to SPSS version 26 for statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics was used to present categorical and continuous variables. Both bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Adjusted odds ratios along with 95% confidence intervals at a p-value less than 0.05 in multivariable binary logistic regression were used to declare a statistically significant variable. Finally, the results were summarized and presented by tables, charts, graphs and statements
Result: A total of 331 medical records were reviewed in the study making the response rate 100%. The prevalence of anemia preterm infants was 29.9% (95% CI: [25% - 35.2%]). The study revealed maternal anemia (AOR: 1.88, 95% C.I.: 1.02 – 3.46), Maternal failure to take iron-folate supplements during pregnancy (AOR: 3.18, (95% C.I.: 1.85 – 5.47) antepartum hemorrhage (AOR: 2.78 95% C.I.: 1.14 – 6.8) and being lessthan weeks gestational age (AOR: 1.76, 95% C.I.: 1.03 – 3.01) were factors significantly associated with anemia.
Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia among preterm infants was 29.9%. Maternal anemia, maternal failure to take iron-folate supplements during pregnancy, antepartum hemorrhage, and being less than 32 weeks gestational age were found to be significantly associated with anemia among preterm infants. Therefore, the study implies a robust emphasis is needed on interventions to prevent anemia in preterm infants by targeting those identified factors that were recommended to be in place by different stakeholders.
