Related Experiment Videos
The effect of chronic intestinal parasitic infection on maternal and perinatal outcome
M M Weigel1, A Calle, R X Armijos
1Laboratorio de Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Central de Ecuador, Quito.
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 parasitic, 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.