Iron supplementation and deworming during pregnancy reduces the risk of anemia and stunting in infants less than 2 years of age: a study from Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Background In sub-Saharan Africa, infant anemia, stunting and low birth weight remains major public health problems. It is unclear whether prenatal iron supplementation and/or deworming can reduce the risk of infant stunting, anemia and low birth weight. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between iron supplementation and/or deworming and stunting, anemia, and low birth weight in infants under two years of age in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods Our studies examined pooled data from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) in twenty-three African countries collected between 2014 and 2020. childhood anemia and stunting in infants under the age of two were the primary outcomes. Iron supplementation and deworming during prenatal visits were the main exposure variables. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to investigate these relationships. Results The prevalence of stunting was 29.9%, severe stunting was 10.6%, childhood anemia was 74.3%, childhood severe anemia was 3.2%, and low birth weight was 16.4%, respectively. The use of prenatal iron supplementation alone was associated with a significant reduction of childhood anemia [aOR (95% CI) = 0.9 (0.8–1.0)]. Prenatal deworming alone was associated with a significantly reduced risk of stunting [aOR (95% CI) = 0.7 (0.8–1.0)], childhood anemia [aOR (95% CI) = 0.7 (0.8–0.9)], and low birth weight [aOR (95% CI) = 0.7 (0.8–1.0)]. Prenatal iron supplementation plus deworming or iron supplementation (with or without deworming) were not associated with childhood anemia, infant stunting and low birth weight. Conclusions In Sub-Saharan Africa, prenatal deworming alone has the potential to improve infants’ outcomes. Childhood anemia was improved with prenatal iron supplementation alone. Our recent findings indicate the necessity for prospective studies on the association between prenatal iron supplementation plus deworming and childhood anemia, stunting and low birth weight.

Regional variations in the trend of iron supplementation during pregnancy and its multi- level predictors: Evidence from Pakistan Demographic and Health Surveys

“…The present study found an increasing trend of iron supplementation during pregnancy among women of reproductive age in Pakistan with a 44.1% increase in the country, 61.7% increase in rural areas, and 19.9% increase in urban areas since 2006-07 with women of rural areas 0.65 times less likely to uptake iron supplementation during pregnancy when compared to those living in urban areas. The present study found that despite of the increasing trend over the years, the rate of iron supplementation during pregnancy among women in the country stands at 65.4% which is lower than other South Asian countries including Bangladesh (81.0%), India (78.1%), and Nepal (77.0%) [35][36][37] as well as other LMICs including Tanzania (81.6%) and Sub-Sahara Africa (79.7%) [38][39]. However, the rates of the country are relatively higher than that of Ethiopia (60.0%) [40].…”

Determinants of household-, maternal- and child-related factors associated with nutritional status among children under five in Mali: evidence from a Demographic and Health Survey, 2018

“…The WHO suggests that in regions with a high prevalence of parasitic infections, combining Fe supplementation with deworming can be an effective approach ( 42 ) . Research conducted in sub-Saharan Africa revealed that administering Fe supplements and deworming treatments during pregnancy resulted in a decreased likelihood of anaemia and stunted growth among infants under the age of two ( 43 ) . In the current analysis, deworming was associated with lower odds of wasting or underweight in the older age group.…”

Prevalence and contributing factors of anaemia among children aged 6–24 months and 25–59 months in Mali

“…Additionally, an analysis of data from the Demographic and Health Surveys revealed that Ethiopian children who were not treated for intestinal parasites were more likely to experience anaemia ( 10 ) . Moreover, administering a deworming treatment with iron supplementation during pregnancy has been shown to reduce anaemia in infants ( 41 ) .…”