Out of Africa

Women in general are in danger of being anemic - generallyafter childbirth, many lose so much blood that their count stays low for quite a while afterwards. Also, Africans tend to already have high numbers in having sickle-cell, and as a result of the blood disease tend to be anemic (having low red-blood count) as well.

Well, an article in the New York Times recently revealed another way of getting anemia for Africans - particularly African women: the hookworm.

The hookworm is a parasite that lives inside the intestine and causes anemia. According to a recent study, almost seven million pregnant women in sub-Saharan African are infected with this parasite. Severe anemia is one of the main reasons why women die during pregnancy. It can also contribute to the death of newborns.

Maternal anemia is very common in Africa. However, most African women are anemic before giving birth instead of after. Besides hookworm, other cause are a poor diet, malaria and general genetics (like having sickle-cell). Without iron supplements, anemia is hard to prevent, and now that it is now that this new parasite also causes the blood deficiency, even iron (or even mosquito nets) may not be enough. Heavy hookworm loads are associated with low hemoglobin levels in pregnant women.

Authorities however have remained reluctant to make deworming part of maternal care for African women. This is primarily because they are unsure of how it might affect the baby.

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