Association of anemia in vitamin C deficient patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is defined as spontaneous rupture of the fetal membranes before 37 completed weeks of gestation and before the onset of true labour (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists). Such rupture has multiple possible causes; among them, intrauterine infection, oxidative-stress–induced DNA damage and premature cellular senescence are major predisposing events. The mechanical strength of the fetal membranes is provided by a thick, cross-linked collagenous extracellular matrix, and the incidence of PPROM varies across countries and populations. Objectives: To study the association of anemia in vitamin C deficient patients with PPROM. Methods: A hospital-based case–control study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of a tertiary-care hospital in Karnataka, India. A total of 120 patients were enrolled — 60 in the study group (patients admitted to the labour room with a history of PPROM) and 60 in the control group (patients admitted to the labour room at term for delivery). Results: In the study group, 23 anemic cases had plasma vitamin C levels <0.6 mg/dl (severe: 4, moderate: 7, mild: 12), and 16 anemic cases had plasma vitamin C levels of 0.6–2.0 mg/dl (severe: 1, moderate: 3, mild: 12); P > 0.05, not significant. In the control group, 2 anemic cases had plasma vitamin C levels <0.6 mg/dl (both mild); 17 anemic cases had plasma vitamin C levels of 0.6–2.0 mg/dl (severe: 1, moderate: 3, mild: 13); and 2 anemic cases had plasma vitamin C levels >2.0 mg/dl (severe: 1, moderate: 1); P > 0.05, not significant. Conclusion: In the study group, 39 of 60 cases (65%) were anemic, whereas in the control group 21 of 60 cases (35%) were anemic, indicating an inverse relationship between plasma vitamin C levels and anemia. Vitamin C supplementation during pregnancy improves iron absorption and helps prevent anemia and its associated complications.
Authors: Usha BN, Vinutha Rani Malipatil, Vytla Ananya
Language: English
Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7204260546