Introduction Iron deficiency anaemia is one of the most common blood disorders across the world. According to the WHO, more than half of pregnant women and one third of non-pregnant women of childbearing age suffer from anaemia. The present cross-sectional study aimed to determine prevalence of maternal iron deficiency anaemia during labour and its impact on birth outcomes.

Methods A sample of 600 mothers with live births who referred to the Besat hospital in Sanandaj city western Iran was randomly recruited. Blood samples were taken and measured for Maternal CBC and neonatal CBC as well as Feretin laboratory tests.

Results Prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia among mothers and their neonates was 22.7% and 5.8% respectively with a significant correlation (p=0.001). The mean haemoglobin levels were 11.95 and 11.8 in mothers who received iron supplements during pregnancy and those who did not with no significant association. Moreover, no significant relationship was observed between maternal iron deficiency anaemia and birth outcomes of LBW, prematurity, preterm labour and Apgar score.

Discussion Maternal iron deficiency anaemia was not significantly associated with adverse birth outcomes of LBW, prematurity and low Apgar score in the present study. Laboratory based interventional programs are recommended to improve prenatal care for pregnant women in developing countries' surveillance system.