Anemia during pregnancy is classified as very severe when the hematocrit is less than 40 g/L and severe when the hematocrit is between 40 and 69 g/L.
Anemia is a more common comorbidity during pregnancy. Due to the increase in blood volume during pregnancy, and the increase in plasma more than the increase in red blood cells, the blood is diluted, also known as “physiological anemia”. Because of the physiological changes in the blood system during pregnancy, the diagnostic criteria for anemia during pregnancy are different from those for non-pregnant women.
Pregnant women with hemoglobin less than 110g/L and hematocrit less than 0.33 are considered to have anemia during pregnancy. The hemoglobin value of mild anemia is 100-109g/L, moderate anemia is 70-99g/L, severe anemia is 40-69g/L, and the value of very severe anemia is below 40g/L.
Therefore, anemia during pregnancy, such as hematocrit below 69g/L is considered to be a more severe condition.
Anemia during pregnancy that is severe may lead to anemic heart disease due to myocardial hypoxia. And anemia is less tolerant to blood loss and prone to hemorrhagic shock. Therefore, once anemia occurs during pregnancy, you should seek medical treatment in time to avoid adverse consequences.