Is International Or Asian Criteria-Based Body Mass Index Associated with Maternal Anaemia, Low Birthweight, And Preterm Births Among Thai Population?--an Observational Study (Report‪)‬

INTRODUCTION Pregnant women are vulnerable and prone to developing physiological and pathological anaemia. Maternal anaemia is a burden throughout the world, especially in developing countries (1). Maternal anaemia is defined as a haemoglobin (Hb) level of 11g/dL, or haematocrit (Hct) of 33% in all trimesters of pregnancy as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) (2). A high prevalence of anaemia increases the risk of maternal death in Africa, Asia, and Latin America (1). Anaemia in pregnancy is also associated with malnourishment and low socioeconomic conditions (3,4). Nutritional status can be measured using various parameters, such as weight, height, body mass index (BMI), triceps skinfold, or mid-upper arm circumference. However, BMI is most commonly used in the research field in developing countries. Low maternal BMI has a strong relationship with maternal anaemia (4-8).