Background: Iron deficiency is the commonest cause of anaemia and at least half of anaemia cases will have causes other than iron deficiency. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia among antenatal mothers based on haematological parameters and serum ferritin levels.Methods: This was a hospital based cross sectional study, conducted at Meenakshi Medical College and Research Institute, Kancheepuram from January 2017 to June 2018. Two hundred antenatal mothers who were diagnosed with anaemia in the third trimester of pregnancy were evaluated by haematological parameters and serum ferritin assay.Results: 38% of women had mild anaemia, 50% had moderate anaemia and 12% had severe anaemia. On peripheral smear, 60% had microcytic hypochromic anaemia indicating iron deficiency, and 12% had megaloblastic anaemia. In 41% of cases, the mean corpuscular volume was <82fL indicative of iron deficiency. Among the 120 women diagnosed with iron deficiency anaemia on smear, the mean ferritin level was 16.62±73.42 (less than 30µg/l). There was a statistically significant low levels of serum ferritin levels in those diagnosed with iron deficiency anaemia (P < 0.05). The serum ferritin level was >160µg/lit in 19% of cases.Conclusions: Based on the haematological parameters and serum ferritin estimation, in 60% of cases, anaemia was due to iron deficiency. Before initiating treatment, it is important to differentiate various types of anaemia, so that appropriate treatment can be given.

Background: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among pregnant mothers and their neonates and to study the effect of vitamin D deficiency on maternal and perinatal outcome.Methods: This prospective cohort study conducted in a teaching hospital included 223 pregnant mothers and their offspring born in 2017. Detailed history was taken to ascertain the causes of vitamin D deficiency.   vitamin D3 and calcium levels were estimated in maternal and cord blood samples. To study the association between the vitamin D status and the various maternal and neonatal parameters.Results: 91.9 % of women were house wives involved in indoor activities. Pre-eclampsia and GDM were seen in 4.5% of cases each. 5.41% were obese and 84%  were of medium complexion,  and 8% were  dark. 93.7% were non- vegetarians,  and fish, egg and milk consumption was adequate in 61.3% , 64% and 71% respectively. Only 5.40% of women had adequate exposure to sunlight.  The mean birth weight was 3.08± 0.36 Kg. and 14 babies were admitted to NICU for neonatal asphyxia.77.40% had deficient levels of vitamin D  <20 ng/ml. Only four pregnant mothers (1.8%) had sufficient levels vitamin D. There was no statistically significant association between vitamin D deficiency and various maternal and neonatal parameters.Conclusions: This study has shown that the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among south Indian pregnant mothers and their newborn is very high and the ways to improve the vitamin D status among pregnant mothers should be looked at.