Anaemia and Plasmodium falciparum infections among young children in an holoendemic area, Bagamoyo, Tanzania

Premji, Zul; Hamisi, Yuna; Shiff, Clive; Minjas, J.N.; Lubega, Proscovia; Makwaya, Cyprian

doi:10.1016/0001-706x(94)00079-g

Cited by 67 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Several previous studies have demonstrated an association between anemia and symptomatic malaria. 3,4 Since most of the children in our study were asymptomatic, we suggest that asymptomatic malaria is also a strong risk factor for anemia in children. 16,[18][19][20][21][22] The frequency of parasitemia was not a significant risk factor in the multivariate model, suggesting that the mechanism responsible for malaria-related anemia involved predominantly acute hemolysis as compared with dyserythropoiesis or ineffective erythropoiesis due to recurrent parasitemia.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

“…While some investigators found a significant negative correlation between Hb level and parasite density, 25 others, including our group, failed in finding such a correlation, although they identified malaria as a risk factor for anemia. 3,4,25 The prevalence of microcytosis may reflect the prevalence of iron deficiency. 1 However, assessment of iron deficiency only by microcytosis without serum iron and ferritin measurements is not specific enough and microcytosis in this area might be partly explained by alpha-thalassemia minor.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…High prevalences of iron deficiency-related anemia in children have been described in Tanzania (40%) and Nigeria (41%). 4,26 In a study conducted in Nigeria, iron deficiency was found to be responsible for 57% of the anemia in 1-15-year-old children. 7 In the current study, multivariate analysis showed an association between microcytosis and anemia in the 12-month age group.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1,5 Similarly, parasitic diseases such as malaria and ankylostomiasis have been reported to lead to a high prevalence of anemia during childhood. [3][4][5][6] Sickle cell disease has been also recognized as an important risk factor for anemia in sub-Saharan countries. 5,7 However, the relative contributions of these etiologies remain unclear.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1,2 In sub-Saharan Africa in children less than five years of age, the prevalence of anemia varies from 43% in Zaire to 74% in Tanzania. 3,4 Its etiology in tropical countries is multifactorial: thus, the most important risk factors need to be identified for prevention strategy. Anemia is commonly associated with nutritional deficiencies such as iron deficiency, the main factor responsible for microcytic anemia, while folate or vitamin B 12 deficiencies are responsible for macrocytic anemia.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prevalence of and risk factors for anemia in young children in southern Cameroon.

Cornet¹,

Hesran²,

Fiévet³

et al. 1998

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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Abstract. Anemia during childhood remains a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. To determine the prevalence of and the main risk factors for anemia in young children, we conducted a longitudinal survey in Ebolowa in southern Cameroon. Children were enrolled in two cohorts and followed during a three-year period: the first cohort was composed of 122 children from 0 to 36 months of age and the second cohort was composed of 84 children from 24 to 60 months of age. The two cohorts were followed weekly for symptomatic malaria, monthly for both symptomatic and asymptomatic malaria, and every six months for hematologic data; the children were grouped into six-month age groups. The prevalence of anemia (hemoglobin [Hb] level Ͻ 11 g/dl) was the highest in the sixmonth-old age group (47%) and the age-related evolution clearly showed a decrease in the prevalence from three years of age. Thus, 42% of the children less than three years of age were anemic, while 21% of the children between three and five years of age were anemic. The lowest mean Ϯ SD Hb content (10.7 Ϯ 2.1 g/dl) was observed in the six-month-old children and a regular improvement in the Hb level occurred from six months to three years of age. A stabilization was observed at a level of approximately 12 g/dl. At any age, there was no difference in mean Hb levels between children with AS and AA Hb genotypes. Hookworm infection was diagnosed in two children in the study population. Results of a multivariate analysis showed that placental malaria infection was the strongest risk factor for anemia in the six-month-old children (odds ratio [OR] ϭ 3.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] ϭ 1.1-12.3) and was independent of the frequency of parasitemia, parasitemia at the time of Hb measurement, or microcytosis. In the one-year-old age group, microcytosis was a significant factor related to anemia (OR ϭ 2.8, 95% CI ϭ 1-7.8) pointing out the role of iron deficiency at this age. Parasitemia at the time of Hb measurement was significantly associated with anemia in all age groups (except in 54-and 60-month-old groups). Strategies to decrease the prevalence of anemia in young children in southern Cameroon should include chemoprophylaxis for pregnant women, prevention of acquired malaria infection in both pregnancy and infancy, and prevention of nutritional iron deficiency.Anemia impairs normal development in children and it constitutes a major public health problem in young children in the developing world with wide social and economic implications. Thus, decreased physical exercise tolerance and intellectual performance have been associated with mild anemia, which may lead to a slowdown of growth in children. 1, 2In sub-Saharan Africa in children less than five years of age, the prevalence of anemia varies from 43% in Zaire to 74% in Tanzania. 3, 4 Its etiology in tropical countries is multifactorial: thus, the most important risk factors need to be identified for prevention strategy. Anemia is commonly associated with nutritional deficiencies such as iron defic...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Prevalence of and risk factors for anemia in young children in southern Cameroon.

Cornet¹,

Hesran²,

Fiévet³

et al. 1998

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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Insecticide-treated bednets and curtains for preventing malaria

Lengeler

1998

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Complete Reviews)

256

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Insecticide-treated bed nets and curtains for preventing malaria

Lengeler

2004

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

1,272

1,115

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BackgroundMalaria is an important cause of illness and death in many parts of the world, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. There has been a renewed emphasis on preventive measures at community and individual levels. Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are the most prominent malaria preventive measure for large-scale deployment in highly endemic areas. ObjectivesTo assess the impact of insecticide-treated bed nets or curtains on mortality, malarial illness (life-threatening and mild), malaria parasitaemia, anaemia, and spleen rates.

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Anaemia and Plasmodium falciparum infections among young children in an holoendemic area, Bagamoyo, Tanzania

Cited by 67 publications

References 15 publications

Prevalence of and risk factors for anemia in young children in southern Cameroon.

Prevalence of and risk factors for anemia in young children in southern Cameroon.

Insecticide-treated bednets and curtains for preventing malaria

Insecticide-treated bed nets and curtains for preventing malaria

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