Association of low birth weight and polyparasitic infection during pregnancy in Lambaréné, Gabon

Abstract

Objective To report the prevalence of polyparasitism during pregnancy in the Lambaréné region of Gabon and its association with newborn birth weight. Method Pregnant women in their third trimester were recruited in a prospective study between November 2011 and March 2015. Parasite infection status was assessed microscopically in stool, urine and blood samples. Maternal demographic and obstetrical characteristics and newborns anthropometric data were collected. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between low birth weight and polyparasitism. Results 678 of 927 pregnant women were included for analysis with mean age (SD) of 25 (6.8) years. The analysis showed that 69% (468/678) were infected with at least one parasite (Plasmodium spp., Schistosoma spp., soil‐transmitted helminths, filarial infections). This comprised of 38% with monoparasitism and 31% polyparasitism. The proportion of newborn babies with a weight below 2500 g (LBW) in our study was 21% (142/678). Compared to pregnant women without infection, women with monoparasitic infection had adjusted Odds Ratio confidence interval 95% CI (aOR [95%CI]) of 1.6 [0.95–2.73], those with two parasites had aOR 95%CI of 2.63 [1.51–4.62], and those with more than two parasites had aOR of 5.08 [2.5–10.38] for delivering a newborn with low birth weight. Conclusion In Lambaréné, an endemic area for multiple parasite infections, there is a high prevalence of polyparasitism in pregnant women. Polyparasitism is associated with low birth weight. Therefore, there is an urgent need for active screening and treatment of parasite infections in pregnant women to assess the potential public health benefit of such interventions.

Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections among Antenatal Women in Primary Care Settings in Southern India: Prevalence, Associated Factors and Effect of Anti-Helminthic Treatment

“…Other studies reported the burden of 51.5% in Ethiopia [ 28 ], 21.2% among refugees in Thailand [ 29 ], 38% in Gabon [ 30 ] and this was higher compared to the present study. Possible reasons for the high rate could be the differences in the method of diagnosis and poor living, environmental conditions and lack of awareness regarding the parasitic infections.…”

Effect of biomass fuel use and kitchen location on maternal report of birth size: Cross-sectional analysis of 2016 Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey data

“…A safe environment is one of the basic needs of mothers to grow a healthy baby, as well as good nutrition, rest and adequate antenatal care [ 10 ]. In addition, parasitic infections and maternal exposure to different pesticides during pregnancy have also been linked with a higher risk of low birth weight [ 11 , 12 ]. Several studies have also indicated that low birth weight in most developing countries has resulted from exposure to an unsafe indoor environment, mainly due to household air pollution from cooking fuels and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) [ 13 , 14 ].…”

A Review on Strongyloidiasis in Pregnant Women

“…34 Evidence from other helminth infections suggest that they are also associated with obstetric complications like stillbirth, abortion, intrauterine growth retardation, and LBW. 35 The underlying mechanisms of these associations is unclear, as so far treatment of helminths during pregnancy has not shown benefits in terms of fetal outcomes. 36 Therefore, it is possible that the associations found are more a reflection of underlying social conditions than a direct effect of helminths.…”