ABO blood group system and placental malaria in an area of unstable malaria transmission in eastern Sudan
2007

ABO Blood Groups and Placental Malaria in Eastern Sudan

Sample size: 293 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Adam Ishag, Babiker Saud, Mohmmed Ahmed A, Salih Magdi M, Prins Martin H, Zaki Zaki M

Primary Institution: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine University of Khartoum, Sudan

Hypothesis

The study aimed to investigate the role of ABO blood groups on pregnancy outcomes in an area of unstable malaria transmission in eastern Sudan.

Conclusion

Women of eastern Sudan are at risk for placental malaria infection irrespective of their age or parity, with those having blood group O at higher risk of past placental malaria infection.

Supporting Evidence

  • 114 (39.7%) women were primiparae, 61 (22.1%) were secundiparae, and 118 (38.2%) were multiparae.
  • 82 (28.0%) of the placentae showed past infection and 199 (68.0%) showed no infection.
  • Women with blood group O were at higher risk for past placental infections (OR = 1.9).
  • Maternal haemoglobin was significantly higher in women with blood group O.

Takeaway

This study found that pregnant women in eastern Sudan can get malaria in their placenta, and those with blood type O are more likely to have had past infections.

Methodology

The study analyzed 293 women delivering at New Half teaching hospital, determining ABO blood groups and performing placental histopathology examinations for malaria.

Potential Biases

Potential selection bias as only women with singleton deliveries were included.

Limitations

The study was conducted in a single hospital and may not represent all areas of eastern Sudan.

Participant Demographics

The mean age of participants was 25.6 years, with 19.4% being teenagers (age ≤ 19 years).

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.01

Confidence Interval

95% CI = 1.1–3.2

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1475-2875-6-110

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