title: Study of helminthiasis in pregnancy and its correlation with haemoglobin level.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study types of worm infestation in pregnancy and to correlate helminthiasis with haemoglobin level in antenatal women presenting in 2nd and 3rd trimester.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective cross sectional hospital based study conducted at Vanivilas hospital attached to Bangalore medical college, over a period of sixmonths. Study included 500 pregnant women attending antenatal opd in 2nd and 3rd trimester, selected by systematic random sampling method. Parasitic examination and haemoglobin estimation done respectively with Stool and blood samples collected from study group. Presence of parasites was correlated with haemoglobin percentage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Helminthiasis was found in 62 women (12.4%). All infected women had single type helminth infection. Ascariasis was more commonly found than hookworm (10% Vs 2.4%). Anaemia of various degrees was found in 88.7% of women with helminthiasis as compared to 56.4% women without worm infestation (p-value <0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Helminthiasis is a significant burden in pregnancy and it is associated with anaemia. Hence, the policy of universal administration of anthelminthic drug in pregnancy after first trimester, as recommended by WHO should be practically enforced besides health education.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute , Bangalore, India .
authors.forename: Shrinivas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: K
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute , Bangalore, India .
authors.lastname: Radhika
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute , Bangalore, India .
authors.forename: Sreelatha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: R
authors.affiliation: House Surgeon, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute , Bangalore, India .
authors.forename: Kavitha
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: K
keywords: Helminthiasis; Pregnancy