Impact of intestinal helminth infection on anemia and iron status during pregnancy: a community based study in Indonesia.
Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health
;
2001 Mar; 32(1): 14-22
Article
in English
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-32064
ABSTRACT
A cohort study was carried out in Purworejo District, Central Java, Indonesia to investigate prevalence of anemia and low iron stores during pregnancy in relation to intestinal helminth infection. 442 pregnant women were followed until 5-10 weeks postpartum, during the period of April 1996 - August 1998. Information on intestinal helminths, hemoglobin and serum ferritin was collected each trimester. Highest prevalence of anemia in pregnancy (37.1%) was found in the second trimester, while the highest prevalence of low iron stores (49.5%) was found in the third trimester. Most pregnant women (69.7%) were infected with at least one species of pathogenic intestinal helminths. The most common helminth detected was Trichuris trichiura followed by Necator americanus (hookworm) and Ascaris lumbricoides. A significant negative association was found between hookworm infection and serum ferritin at the first trimester (p = 0.010). It is concluded that hookworm infection can interfere iron stores. Other causes of anemia among pregnant women should be considered. Anthelminthic therapy could be given to infected women before conception as public health strategy to improve iron status.
Full text:
Available
Index:
IMSEAR (South-East Asia)
Main subject:
Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Pregnancy
/
Prevalence
/
Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic
/
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency
/
Adult
/
Helminthiasis
/
Indonesia
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prevalence study
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health
Year:
2001
Type:
Article
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