Deworming During Pregnancy can Lower Neonatal Mortality
by Hannah Joy on
May 4, 2021 at 7:05 PM
Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) is a huge burden, especially during pregnancy. However, a new study suggests expectant mothers to go for deworming to reduce neonatal mortality and low birthweight.
More than 25% of the world's population (greater than 1.5 billion people) face the burden of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, a species of intestinal parasite whose eggs develop in the soil before finding a new host.
The main cause of this high infection rate is lack of access to adequate sanitation facilities (toilets) and the consequent contamination of the environment with human feces. While universal access to adequate sanitation is one of the sustainable development goals, parasite burdens are still causing harm. Fortunately, deworming medicines are highly effective and safe.