Ongoing Project

ReMAPP STUDY

Redefining Maternal Anaemia in Pregnancy and Postpartum (ReMAPP): A multicenter, international, population-based study to establish global haemoglobin thresholds for maternal anaemia

March 19,2022 | Ongoing Project | Reading time: 6 min

Investigators

Dr. Kwaku Poku Asante, Mrs. Charlotte Tawiah Agyemang, Prof. Sam Newton, Mrs. Veronica Agyemang, Dr. Amma Benneh-Akwasi Kuma, Prof. Emily Smith, Ms. Sasha Bauman.


Background
Anaemia is a deficiency in oxygen-rich blood, characterised by low blood haemoglobin concentration and or low red blood cell (RBC) count insufficient to meet physiological needs. Women of reproductive age (WRA) especially pregnant and lactating are disproportionately affected by anaemia affecting about 613 million and this is associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes for both mother and newborn.



The burden of anaemia is more pronounced in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). The World Health Assembly aims to reduce anaemia in WRA by 50% by the year 2025. The causes of anaemia are multifaceted, however, iron deficiency accounts for over 50% in WRA. The overarching objective of this study is to leverage the Antenatal/Postnatal Research Collective (ARC) network to advance clinical knowledge of anaemia during pregnancy and contribute high quality, globally representative data toward establishing haemoglobin thresholds linked to functional outcomes.



Objectives


Three primary aims of this study will be:

  • Aim 1: To define normal haemoglobin values in healthy women during pregnancy and within 42 days postpartum and estimate related statistical thresholds for anaemia diagnosis in these populations;


  • Aim 2: To establish haemoglobin thresholds for anaemia diagnosis in pregnancy based on the link with adverse maternal, foetal, and newborn health outcomes.

  • Aim 3: To determine the underlying contributing factors to anaemia during pregnancy.



Expected Outcome
The study will contribute to informing new global guidelines for diagnosing maternal anaemia and identifying high-risk pregnancies based on haemoglobin values.



Collaborators:
Prof. Emily Smith, Ms. Sasha Bauman (George Washington University, United States) Dr. Amma Benneh-Akwasi Kuma (Korle Bu Teaching Hospital



Funders:
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF)