G.J.B.A.H.S.,Vol.3(1):231-235 (January – March,2014) ISSN: 2319 – 5584 231 NUTRITIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF PARASITIC INFECTION DURING PREGNANCY Obiezue, Nduka Rose, Okoye, Ikem C, Ikele Bright C & Okoh, Felicia N Parasitology and Biomedical Research Unit; Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. Abstract The effects of gastro-intestinal helminth infection on nutritional status of pregnant women was investigated in a semi-urban community, southeast, Nigeria. A total of 282 pregnant and 243 non-pregnant women were enlisted for this study. Stool samples were examined for intestinal helminths using formalin-ether sedimentation technique. Haemoglobin (Hb) and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) levels were evaluated in venous blood samples using Sahli’s and microhaematocrit methods respectively. Anthropometry-based nutritional assessment of subjects was done to determine their body mass index (BMI). Nutritional assessment showed that only 34.4% of the pregnant women had normal BMI. BMI was found to increase significantly (p<0.05) with trimester of pregnancy. Haematological assessment showed that the mean Hb (9.66+ 1.22) and PCV (29.68 + 3.24) of pregnant women were significantly lower than those of their non pregnant counterparts (p<0.05). The prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women was 58.9%. Anaemia was found to be highest in the second trimester with a prevalence rate of 63.6%. The percentage of infected anaemic pregnant women (82.6%) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of the uninfected ones (54.2%). least level of nutrition during the first trimester and the primagravidae parity and anaemia was more severe during the second trimester. Greater public health attention should be paid to the impact of gastro-intestinal infection in pregnancy. Keywords: Nutrition, gastro-intestinal helminth, primagravidae, pregnancy. Introduction The health status of young women before pregnancy is a critical determinant of the risk that may ensue during pregnancy. “Parasitic infections affect tens of millions of pregnant women worldwide, and directly or indirectly lead to a spectrum of adverse maternal and fetal/placental effects, with pregnant women experiencing more severe infections than their non-pregnant counterparts” (Whitty et al., 2005). Intestinal parasite infection leads to anaemia and malnutrition, both of which are associated with an increased incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes (Richard, 2003). Young women who are underweight or stunted, those with anaemia from one or more causes (e.g. intestinal helminth infection, iron deficiency, etc) and those with certain chronic infectious diseases are at increased risk of delivering low birth weight (LBW) infants (Stephenson et al., 2000; Shulman et al., 2001). LBW and premature infants have a much increased risk of early child mortality (Steketee et al., 1996), impaired growth and cognitive development (McCormick et al., 1992), impaired milk production, as well as increased risk of death for the mother and the baby. There is a dearth of literature on the effects of most parasitic infections on nutritional factors affecting pregnancy and their eventual outcomes. This study therefore, investigates the consequences of gastro-intestinal helminth infection on the nutritional status of women during pregnancy. Materials and Methods A total of 282 pregnant and 243 non-pregnant women between the ages of 18 - 45 years were enlisted for this study (Table 1). The pregnant women were in their various trimesters and of various parities (0 - 10). They were enlisted at various antenatal clinics (ANC) in Isiala Mbano, southeast Nigeria. The Mbano Joint Hospital laboratory was used as the base analytical centre. Determination of Helminth Infection Fresh stool sample for helminth screening was collected from each of the subjects in a dry, clean, leak proof and sterilised sample container, while making sure that no urine, water, soil or other contaminants got into the container. Four grams of each faecal sample was measured out using an Ohaus Havard trip balance (Florham Park USA) calibrated in 0.1gram. The samples were examined for consistency and presence of cysts, proglottids and adult worms. Concentrated saturated sodium chloride floatation and formol-ether concentration techniques were used for faecal analysis. The total number of eggs was counted under X40 magnification of a compound microscope Stool samples were processed within 8 hours of collection and examined microscopically within one hour of preparation to avoid over clearance of hookworm ova (Okoye, 2009). Nutritional Assessment Anthropometry-based nutritional assessment of the study subjects was done by measuring body weight to the nearest 0.1kg and height to the nearest 0.1cm. Then the body mass index (BMI) was calculated to determine the weight status of the study subjects using the formula (weight in kg/[height in m] 2 ). In classifying the weight status of the study subjects, the standard weight status categories associated with BMI ranges were used for overweight and obesity in adults