Relational study of heart rhythm disorders in newborns of mothers with anemia

Authors

Abstract

Introduction: Currently, gestational anemia and its prevalence are among the most concerning issues for Public Health, affecting both the mother and the newborn. Maternal anemia has been described as a potential influence on neonatal heart rate, through reduced oxygen transport and altered placental perfusion. However, evidence regarding this association is limited.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of bradycardia and tachycardia in neonates of mothers with anemia.

Methods: An observational, relational, retrospective, and cross-sectional study was conducted in women diagnosed with gestational anemia and their children during the year 2025 at a tertiary care hospital in Guayaquil, selected by simple random sampling. Information was obtained through the review of medical records in the AS400 system and analyzed using SPSS Software.

Results: Of the 164 newborns, 43 (26.2%) presented heart rhythm disorders, with tachycardia being the most frequent; followed by bradycardia with 42 neonates (26.0%) and 1 case for 0.61%. A notable statistical association was found between newborn heart rate and the degree of anemia (p = 0.0002). Additionally, a relationship was found between respiratory rate at birth and gestational week (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions: The prevalence of rhythm disorders in neonates of mothers with anemia in this study is 26.2%; resulting in a significant association with the degree of anemia.

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Author Biographies

Lorena Revilla Cruz, Ministerio de Salud Pública de Ecuador

 

Lorna Cruz Rizo, Universidad de Guayaquil. Ecuador

 

Eneida Catalina Matos Hernández. , Universidad de Guayaquil. Guayaquil, Ecuador.

 

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Published

2026-03-12

How to Cite

1.
Revilla Cruz L, Cruz Rizo L, Matos Hernández. EC. Relational study of heart rhythm disorders in newborns of mothers with anemia. MEDISAN [Internet]. 2026 Mar. 12 [cited 2026 Mar. 15];30:e5588. Available from: https://medisan.sld.cu/index.php/san/article/view/5588

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Original Articles