Okamgba OC, Nwosu DC, Nwobodo EI, Agu GC, Ozims SJ, Obeagu EI, Ibanga IE, Obioma- Elemba IE, Ihekaire DE, Obasi CC, Amah HC, Ekendu MI and Ifeanyichukwu MO
Malaria is the most uncontrollable public health problem worldwide. The study was aimed at determining the association between Iron and Malaria parasitaemia among pregnant and post-partum women. A total of 206 pregnant and 50 post-partum women who tested negative to HIV were recruited in the study. They were stratified into four groups; 144 malaria parasitaemia and 62 aparasitaemic pregnant women, 30 placental infected malaria and 20 malaria placental uninfected post-partum women. They constituted group 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the study subjects respectively. Also 20 malaria infected and 20 malaria uninfected non- pregnant women, classified as groups 5 and 6 respectively, represented the control subjects. The test groups were asymptomatic subjects and control groups were apparently healthy subjects. All were between 17 and 44years. Malaria and malaria parasite density were determined by the thick film technique, serum transferrin (STFR) and SF were measured by ELLSA. Full blood count and red cell indices were evaluated using sysmex Automated Hematology Analyzer model KX2IN Series. Serum transferrin (STFR-F) index was derived from values of SF and STFR. Student's t-test and ANOVA were used for comparison of groups. The mean parasite Density in the peripheral and placental blood was 685.56 ± 484.55 parasite /μ1 and 762.47 ± 459.62 parasite/μl of blood respectively but no significant difference was observed on comparison (P>0.05). Haemoglobin was lower in the infected but not significant on comparison with the uninfected pregnant subjects (P>0.05) while serum ferritin was higher in the infected, however, showed no significant difference in comparison with the uninfected (P>0.05). Serum transferin (STFR) was significantly higher in the infected than uninfected pregnant women (P>0.05). The infected pregnant subjects showed 40% anaemia of infected and 13% IDA. This study has shown that anaemia is the major cause of poor maternal and infant outcome in pregnant women in the area. Increase Parasitaemia leads to decrease iron level culminating to iron deficiency anaemia.
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