Effect of anaemia on respiratory and metabolic parameters during third trimester of pregnancy.

Pregnancy involves a considerable increase of metabolically active tissue. Anaemia a common occurrence during pregnancy hampers the normal metabolism of body due to Anaemic hypoxia. In present study oxygen uptake, Co2 output, Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RE) Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) were compared in normal women in IIIrd trimester of pregnancy (Hb 12 gm% or above) with anaemic women. Oxygen uptake and Co2 output were measured by Noyon's Dioferometer and PEFR by Wright's Peak Expiratory Flow Meter. RE and RMR were calculated. O2 uptake, Co2 output, RE and RMR were significantly increased whereas PEFR was significantly decreased in anaemic than in normal subjects during third trimester of pregnancy.