Burak ALTINDAĞ, Umut GÖK, Azra Arıcı YURTKUL
Türkiye Aile Hekimliği Dergisi - 2026;30(3):270-282
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association of migration status with maternal anaemia assessed at delivery and perinatal outcomes among Turkish and immigrant pregnant women (Syrian women under temporary protection status). Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated the sociodemographic, obstetric, and laboratory characteristics of Turkish and immigrant pregnant women who delivered at a tertiary care hospital in Türkiye. Maternal haemoglobin concentrations measured at admission for delivery were used to define maternal anaemia according to World Health Organisation criteria. Maternal and neonatal characteristics were compared between groups. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors independently associated with maternal anaemia and neonatal birth weight. Results: The study comprised 1,216 pregnant women (609 Turkish and 607 immigrant women) and 1,251 newborns (1,181 singleton and 70 twin newborns). Maternal anaemia at the time of delivery was more prevalent among immigrant women than Turkish women (42.8% vs. 28.7%, p<0.001). Migration status (OR=1.63, 95% CI: 1.26-2.10), younger maternal age (OR=0.96, 95% CI: 0.94-0.98), and multiparity (OR=2.09, 95% CI: 1.57-2.79) were independently associated with maternal anaemia. Birth weight, birth length, and head circumference did not differ significantly according to migration status. However, stillbirth rates were higher among immigrants than Turks (1.8% vs. 0.2%, p=0.004). Maternal anaemia was not independently associated with low birth weight or low 5-minute Apgar scores. Increasing gestational age (OR=2.22, 95% CI: 1.97-2.49; p<0.001) and multiparity (OR= 2.05, 95% CI: 1.22-3.45; p=0.007) were associated with higher odds of normal birth weight. Conversely, multifetal pregnancy was associated with lower odds of normal birth weight (OR=0.05, 95% CI: 0.02-0.12). Conclusions: Maternal anaemia at delivery was more common among immigrant women than Turkish women. Similarly, the stillbirth rate was significantly higher among immigrant women. These findings underscore the importance of addressing social and structural determinants of maternal and perinatal health.
