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The effect of chronic intestinal parasitic infection on maternal and perinatal outcome
Author(s) -
Weigel M.M.,
Calle A.,
Armijos R.X.,
Vega I.P.,
Bayas B.V.,
Montenegro C.E.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/0020-7292(95)02442-5
Subject(s) - medicine , pregnancy , entamoeba histolytica , intestinal parasite , asymptomatic , anemia , prospective cohort study , hematocrit , iron deficiency , obstetrics , fetus , physiology , immunology , helminths , biology , genetics
Objective: The main objective of this prospective cohort study was to investigate the prevalence, risk factors and maternal‐perinatal consequences of chronic asymptomatic intestinal parasitic infection during pregnancy. Methods: Prenatal patients (n = 91) attending a public clinic in Quito, Ecuador, were followed during the third trimester. Intestinal parasite, nutritional status, sociodemographic/sanitation indicators and fetal outcome data were collected and analyzed using multivariate ANOVA and regression techniques. Results: Most subjects (93%) were infected with at least one species of pathogenic intestinal parasite: 88% with Entamoeba histolytica. Greater parasite burdens were associated with poorer maternal iron status and reduced fetal growth. In particular, a high E. histolytica load was associated with decreased maternal serum hemoglobin (P = 0.002) and hematocrit levels (P = 0.01), iron deficiency anemia (P = 0.026), and indicators of diminished intrauterine growth including a decreased ponderal index (P = 0.04), mid‐arm circumference (P = 0.01), and mid‐arm/head circumference ratio (P = 0.003). Conclusion: Asymptomatic intestinal parasitic infection represents a hidden risk factor for maternal iron deficiency anemia and fetal growth retardation.