Publications des scientifiques de l'IRD

Moya-Alvarez V., Cottrell Gilles, Ouedraogo S., Accrombessi M., Massougbodgi A., Cot Michel. (2017). High iron levels are associated with increased malaria risk in infants during the first year of life in Benin. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 97 (2), p. 497-503. ISSN 0002-9637.

Titre du document
High iron levels are associated with increased malaria risk in infants during the first year of life in Benin
Année de publication
2017
Type de document
Article référencé dans le Web of Science WOS:000423197200030
Auteurs
Moya-Alvarez V., Cottrell Gilles, Ouedraogo S., Accrombessi M., Massougbodgi A., Cot Michel
Source
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2017, 97 (2), p. 497-503 ISSN 0002-9637
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 40% of children in low-income countries are anemic. Therefore, iron supplements are recommended by WHO in areas with high anemia rates. However, some studies have set into question the benefits of iron supplementation in malaria-endemic regions. In Benin, a west African country with high prevalence of anemia and malaria, no iron supplements are given systematically to infants so far despite the WHO recommendations. In this context, we wanted to investigate the effect of iron levels during the first year of life on malarial risk in Benin considering complementary risk factors. We followed 400 women and their offspring between January 2010 and June 2012 in Allada (Benin). Environmental, obstetric, and numerous clinical, maternal, and infant risk factors were considered. In multilevel models, high iron levels were significantly associated with the risk of a positive blood smear (adjusted odds ratio = 2.90, P < 0.001) and Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia (beta estimate = 0.38, P < 0.001). Infants with iron levels in the lowest quartile were less likely to have a positive blood smear (P < 0.001), and the risk increased with higher iron levels. Our results appeal for additional evaluation of the effect of different doses of iron supplements on the infant health status, including malaria incidence. Thus, the health status of infants should be compared between cohorts where iron is given either for prevention or anemia treatment, to better understand the effect of iron supplements on infant health.
Plan de classement
Entomologie médicale / Parasitologie / Virologie [052]
Description Géographique
BENIN
Localisation
Fonds IRD [F B010072020]
Identifiant IRD
fdi:010072020
Contact