<![CDATA[Objective: To determine the prevalence of helminth infection in
pregnant women and its effect on albumin levels and pregnancy outcome.
Method: A prospective cohort study was conducted on third trimester
pregnant women presenting for antenatal care in several hospitals
in Makassar. Information on subject demography was recorded
using short questionnaire. Stool samples were collected to determine
the presence of helminth infection. Albumin levels were measured
from maternal blood and cord‐blood. Outcome of pregnancy
was assessed upon delivery.
Result: The prevalence of helminth infection in our subjects was
22.8%. Among 21 infected women, 17 were infected with Ascaris
lumbricoides (80.9%), one with Trichuris trichiura and three with
both Ascaris and Trichuris. The mean Ascaris lumbricoides intensity
was 1769.3 epg (Range = 24‐11.688 epg). Helminth infections have
no effect on either maternal or neonatal albumin levels (p=0.748 and
p=0.480, respectively). Although it was not found to be significant
(p>0.05), helminth infection seems to affect gestational age (OR 2.06,
95% CI 1.48‐2.86) and birth weight (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.52‐3.14).
Neonatal albumin level and pregnancy outcome were not affected by
maternal albumin level.
Conclusion: Helminth infection seems to affect pregnancy outcome
in pregnant women in Makassar, but not through influence of albumin.
Factors other than albumin level may responsible for such condition.]]>
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