Iranian Journal of Public Health (May 2013)

Gastrointestinal helminth infection in pregnancy: disease incidence and hematological alterations.

  • Nduka Rose Obiezue,
  • Ikem C Okoye,
  • Njoku Ivoke,
  • Joy N Okorie

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 42, no. 5

Abstract

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The incidence and hematological effects of helminth infection during pregnancy were investigated among pregnant women in Isiala, Mbano, Southeast Nigeria.Totally 282 pregnant women were enlisted for the study between October 2011 and September 2012. Stool samples were examined for intestinal helminths using formalin-ether sedimentation technique. Hemoglobin (Hb) and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) levels were evaluated in venous blood samples using Sahli's and microhaematocrit methods respectively.Forty six (16.3%) subjects were infected with at least one helminth parasite; 24 (8.5%) hookworm, 14(5.0%) and 2(0.7%) A. lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura infections respectively. Intestinal helminthiases in pregnant women was significantly associated with age (P

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