Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0024530 (malaria)
 44,886 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Prenatal administration of iron and folate can prevent nutritional anemia and boost the hemoglobin of those who are already anemic, strengthening women for delivery and building their resistance against infection. Regular screening is needed, since women with more than mild anemia need additional treatment. Ideally a woman should have a hemoglobin level of at least 110 g/l by the time of delivery. Many lack the iron stores they need for pregnancy, delivery, and lactation. Yet prenatal administration of oral iron supplements could give them higher hemoglobin levels and adequate stores. Folate deficiency is less important as a cause of anemia than lack of iron, but folate needs are increased by malaria, thalassemia, and sickle cell disease. Malaria causes severe complications in pregnancy, and studies from sub-Saharan Africa report malaria parasite rates 30-40% higher in primigravidae than in nonpregnant women. Persistent infection increases the level of anemia. Where intestinal parasites are common, anthelmintic drugs should be routinely given to all pregnant women. The transmission of HIV by blood transfusion makes it more urgent to prevent anemia and avoid the need for blood transfusions. According to a WHO document in southern Asia, 75% of pregnant women are anemic compared with 17% in Europe and North America. In Africa, 50% of pregnant women are anemic, as are 39% in Latin America and 71% Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand). Moderate anemia (70-109 g/l) is estimated to be present in 25-33% of pregnant women, with the highest prevalence in Southern Asia, Oceania, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Surveys show that from 3-7% of women suffer from severe anemia 70 g/l), which carries a high risk of death from heart failure. In pregnant women, even the relatively small blood loss associated with a normal delivery can result in death.
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PMID:Anaemia -- the weak get weaker. 1228 38