METHODS: This retrospective study included 215 women who gave birth between 2018 and 2023. Hemoglobin levels were measured at three time points during pregnancy: first trimester (approximately 12 weeks), second trimester (13-27 weeks), and third trimester (28-36 weeks). The primary outcomes were the associations between hemoglobin levels and birth weight, birth weight Z-score, placental ratio, and placental weight. Statistical analyses were conducted to control for maternal and fetal factors and to determine the correlations between hemoglobin levels and delivery outcomes.
RESULTS: Hemoglobin levels in the first trimester were the best predictors of anemia in the third trimester (area under the curve (AUC), 0.63; sensitivity, 65 %; specificity, 65 %). Hemoglobin levels were inversely associated with birth weight, birth weight Z-score, placental ratio, and placental weight. The overall accuracy of predicting iron-deficiency anemia was high (sensitivity, 71 %; specificity, 76 %; AUC, 0.76). Significant associations were observed at p