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Iron deficiency protects against severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria and death in young children

Moses Gwamaka1, Jonathan D Kurtis, Bess E Sorensen

  • 1Mother-Offspring Malaria Studies Project, Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Washington, USA.

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|February 23, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Iron deficiency (ID) in Tanzanian children was linked to lower malaria risk and mortality. This suggests caution with iron supplementation in malaria-prone regions, as natural iron status impacts malaria outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Nutritional science
  • Global health

Background:

  • Iron supplementation's impact on malaria is debated, with potential for increased morbidity.
  • The effect of natural iron status variation on malaria risk remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between iron deficiency (ID) and malaria outcomes in Tanzanian children.
  • To evaluate the impact of ID on parasitemia, severe malaria, and mortality.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study of 785 Tanzanian children from birth to 3 years in a high malaria transmission area.
  • Intensive monitoring for parasitemia and illness, with regular blood smears and plasma iron status assays.

Main Results:

  • Iron deficiency (ID) significantly reduced the odds of subsequent parasitemia and severe malaria.
  • ID was associated with substantially lower all-cause and malaria-associated mortality.
  • Including sick visits, ID markedly decreased parasitemia, hyperparasitemia, and severe malaria prevalence.

Conclusions:

  • Physiologic iron status influences malaria risk, indicating potential adverse effects of iron supplementation.
  • Interventional studies are needed to explore treating ID alongside malaria control to mitigate risks of iron supplementation.
Abstract

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