Maternal schistosomiasis: a growing concern in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Schistosomiasis remains one of the most important tropical parasitic infections threatening millions of lives in endemic areas. Cases of infections due to Schistosoma spp, the diecious digenetic trematodes have been on the increase over the last decades. While considerable efforts have been made to reduce infections and morbidities in most endemic areas, these efforts seem to be tailored only towards a specific group (school-based resources). This bias towards school children in epidemiological studies has also been observed in various research efforts in sub-Saharan Africa, thus making it difficult to produce a reliable estimate of the extent of infection in other strata of the population at risk. In recent times, attention has been drawn to Schistosoma spp infections in infants and preschool children, while studies on epidemiology of maternal schistosomiasis still suffer neglect. Considering the potential morbidity of Schistosoma infections on the mothers, fetuses, and neonates, as evidenced in some animal models and human case studies, more attention is solicited in all areas of observational studies and clinical trials, for maternal schistosomiasis with the aim of providing relevant data and information for effective management of the disease during pregnancy.

Keywords: Neonatal health,; Pregnancy,; Public health concern; Schistosomiasis,.

Figure 1

Incidence of schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa (2001–2013).

Figure 2

Schematic representation of schistosomiasis-associated anemia during pregnancy.