Factores asociados con inadecuados depósitos de hierro en mujeres en primer trimestre de gestación

RESUMEN Introducción: niveles bajos de ferritina sérica en la gestación se asocian con inadecuados depósitos de hierro, lo cual puede producir anemia, y aumentar el riesgo de mortalidad materna, parto prematuro y deficiencias a largo plazo en el desarrollo cognitivo del neonato. Objetivo: determinar la relación entre factores demográficos, económicos, familiares y de seguridad alimentaria con los inadecuados depósitos de hierro en mujeres en primer trimestre de gestación. Métodos: estudio descriptivo transversal, con 664 mujeres en primer trimestre de gestación. Depósitos de hierro inadecuados se definieron como una concentración de ferritina sérica <30 μg/L. Se estimó la prueba chi cuadrado, se calcularon odds ratio crudas y ajustadas mediante regresión logística binaria. Resultados: La proporción de mujeres con depósitos de hierro inadecuados fue de 32%, promedio geométrico de ferritina de 39,2 μg/L (rango 38,4 - 40,0 μg/L) Las gestantes que no deseaban el embarazo, tuvieron 1,1 veces más posibilidad de tener inadecuados depósitos de hierro comparado con las que si lo deseaban (OR= 2,10 IC95% 1,18-3,74). La inseguridad alimentaria incrementó en un 47% la probabilidad de tener inadecuados depósitos de hierro (OR= 1,47 IC95% 1,02-2,13). El apoyo familiar redujo en un 61% la probabilidad de inadecuados depósitos de hierro (OR= 0,39 IC95% 0,19-0,78). Conclusión: Una de cada tres mujeres presentó inadecuados niveles séricos de ferritina, lo cual se asoció principalmente con factores socioeconómicos y familiares, esto sugiere la necesidad de considerar otros aspectos no clínicos en las intervenciones que se hacen antes del embarazo para mejorar las reservas de hierro.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Low levels of serum ferritin in pregnancy are associated with inadequate iron stores, which can cause anemia and increase the risk of maternal mortality, premature delivery, and long-term deficiencies in the cognitive development of the newborn. Objective: To determine the relationship between demographic, economic, family and food security factors with inadequate iron stores in women in the first trimester of pregnancy. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study with 664 women in the first trimester of pregnancy. Inadequate iron stores were defined as a serum ferritin concentration <30 μg / L. The chi-square test was estimated, crude and adjusted odds ratios were calculated using binary logistic regression. Results: The proportion of women with inadequate iron stores was 32%, geometric average of ferritin 39.2 μg/L (rank 38.4 - 40.0 μg/L). Pregnant women who did not want a pregnancy were 1.1 times more likely to have inadequate iron stores compared to those who did (OR= 2.10; 95% CI 1.18-3.74). Food insecurity increased the probability of having inadequate iron stores by 47% (OR= 1.47; 95% CI: 1.02-2.13). Family support reduced the probability of inadequate iron stores by 61% (OR= 0.39; 95% CI 0.19-0.78). Conclusion: One in three women presented inadequate levels of serum ferritin, which was mainly associated with socioeconomic and family factors, this suggests the need to consider other non-clinical aspects in the interventions carried out before pregnancy to improve iron stores.

Prevalence of soil transmitted helminths in school-aged children, Colombia, 2012-2013.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to establish the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) intestinal infections, nutritional status, and anemia in school children aged 7 to 10 years old in the biogeographic provinces of Colombia in 2012-2013. STH prevalence in the country has not been described within the last 30 years and it is needed in order to establish policies its control in the country. METHODOLOGY: National Survey of STH in school-aged children with a multistage stratified probability sampling was conducted. The overall prevalence and intensity of STH infection, as well as for each parasite, (A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and hookworms) were calculated for the country and for each of the nine biogeographic provinces. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Stool samples were collected from 6045 children in eight out of nine biogeographic provinces. The combined prevalence of STH in the country was 29.6%. T. trichiura was the most prevalent helminth (18.4%), followed by A. lumbricoides (11.3%), and hookworms (6.4%). For A. lumbricoides and hookworms, the highest prevalence values were found in the Amazonía province (58.0% and 35.7%, respectively). Regarding STH intensity, most cases showed moderate intensity (41.3%) for A. lumbricoides, and light intensity, for T. trichiura and hookworms. The national prevalence of anemia in school-aged children was 14.2%, lowest in the Nor-Andina province (3.5%), and highest in the Territorios Insulares oceánicos del Caribe province (45.1%). SIGNIFICANCE: Colombia has a moderate risk of STH infection in school-aged populations, with considerable variation in the prevalence values among the biogeographic provinces. Like any public health issue, this problem should be handled with a comprehensive approach that involves deworming programs and strategies for STH control according to the specific epidemiological and socioeconomic conditions and sanitation service coverage in each biogeographic province. The program should be further supported by intersectoral action to improve living conditions, particularly the excreta disposal, promoted at municipality levels.

Mercury contamination in breast milk of nursing mothers in gold mining municipalities of Antioquia, Colombia

Introduction: Breast milk is essential for human development, but it may contain toxics derived from environmental pollution, especially in mining areas. Objective: To assess the prevalence of mercury contamination in breast milk and factors associated with its transfer to nursing mothers living in municipalities with gold mining. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 150 nursing mothers in four municipalities of Antioquia (El Bagre, Segovia, Remedios and Zaragoza) with a mining tradition. We surveyed these mothers to obtain information on their sociodemographic, occupational and environmental factors related to mercury, and we took breast milk, urine and hair samples. We calculated mercury level averages and the contamination prevalence per municipality. Results: Mercury average in breast milk was 2.5 (± standard deviation: 9.2) mg/L. The prevalence of mercury contamination in samples with a high level of mercury was 11.7%. Conclusion: This study shows that there is a serious problem of mercury contamination in gold mining regions of Antioquia, with significant involvement of the most vulnerable population.

Contaminación por mercurio de leche materna de madres lactantes de municipios de Antioquia con explotación minera de oro / Mercury contamination in breast milk of nursing mothers in gold mining municipalities of Antioquia, Colombia

Resumen Introducción. La leche materna es esencial para el desarrollo del ser humano, pero puede contener sustancias tóxicas provenientes de la contaminación ambiental, especialmente en las áreas mineras. Objetivo. Determinar la prevalencia de la contaminación con mercurio de la leche materna de mujeres lactantes residentes en los municipios con explotación minera de oro. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio transversal de 150 madres lactantes de cuatro municipios mineros de Antioquia (El Bagre, Segovia, Remedios y Zaragoza), a quienes se les hizo una encuesta sobre factores sociodemográficos, ocupacionales y ambientales relacionados con el mercurio, y se les tomaron muestras de leche materna, de orina y de cabello. Se calculó el promedio de la concentración de mercurio y las prevalencias municipales de contaminación. Resultados. El promedio de la concentración de mercurio en la leche materna fue de 2,5 (± desviación estándar 9,2) µg/L. La prevalencia de muestras de leche materna con niveles altos de mercurio fue de 11,7 %. Conclusión. En este estudio se evidencia un grave problema en las regiones mineras auríferas de Antioquia por el efecto de la contaminación con mercurio en sectores de la población más vulnerable.

Abastract Introduction: Breast milk is essential for human development, but it may contain toxics derived from environmental pollution, especially in mining areas. Objective: To assess the prevalence of mercury contamination in breast milk and factors associated with its transfer to nursing mothers living in municipalities with gold mining. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 150 nursing mothers in four municipalities of Antioquia (El Bagre, Segovia, Remedios and Zaragoza) with a mining tradition. We surveyed these mothers to obtain information on their sociodemographic, occupational and environmental factors related to mercury, and we took breast milk, urine and hair samples. We calculated mercury level averages and the contamination prevalence per municipality. Results: Mercury average in breast milk was 2.5 (± standard deviation: 9.2) mg/L. The prevalence of mercury contamination in samples with a high level of mercury was 11.7%. Conclusion: This study shows that there is a serious problem of mercury contamination in gold mining regions of Antioquia, with significant involvement of the most vulnerable population.