Impact of helminth infections during pregnancy on maternal and newborn Vitamin D and on birth outcomes

Sèyigbéna P.Déo Gracias Berry, Yabo Josiane Honkpèhedji, Esther Ludwig, Saïdou Mahmoudou, Ulrich Fabien Prodjinotho, Rafiou Adamou, Odilon P. Nouatin, Bayode R. Adégbitè, Jean Claude Dejon-Agobe, Romuald Beh Mba, Moustapha Maloum, Anne Marie Mouima Nkoma, Jeannot Fréjus Zinsou, Adrian J.F. Luty, Meral Esen, Ayôla Akim Adégnika, Clarissa Prazeres da Costa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Poor birth outcomes in low- and middle income countries are associated with maternal vitamin D deficiency and chronic helminth infections. Here, we investigated whether maternal Schistosoma haematobium affects maternal or cord vitamin D status as well as birth outcomes. In a prospective cross-sectional study of pregnant women conducted in Lambaréné, Gabon, we diagnosed maternal parasitic infections in blood, urine and stool. At delivery we measured vitamin D in maternal and cord blood. S. haematobium, soil-transmitted helminths, and microfilariae were found at prevalences of 30.2%, 13.0%, and 8.8%, respectively. Insufficient vitamin D and calcium levels were found in 28% and 15% of mothers, and in 11.5% and 1.5% of newborns. Mothers with adequate vitamin D had lower risk of low birthweight babies (aOR = 0.11, 95% CI 0.02–0.52, p = 0.01), whilst offspring of primipars had low cord vitamin D levels, and low vitamin D levels increased the risk of maternal inflammation. Maternal filariasis was associated with low calcium levels, but other helminth infections affected neither vitamin D nor calcium levels in either mothers or newborns. Healthy birth outcomes require maintenance of adequate vitamin D and calcium levels. Chronic maternal helminth infections do not disrupt those levels in a semi-rural setting in sub-Saharan Africa.

Original languageEnglish
Article number14845
JournalScientific Reports
Volume14
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2024
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Helminth infections
  • Maternal
  • Newborn vitamin D
  • Pregnancy outcomes
  • Sub-Saharan Africa

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