Afebrile Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia decreases absorption of fortification iron but does not affect systemic iron utilization: a double stable-isotope study in young Beninese women.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) affects many young women in sub-Saharan Africa. Its etiology is multifactorial, but the major cause is low dietary iron bioavailability exacerbated by parasitic infections such as malaria.

Objective

We investigated whether asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia in Beninese women would impair absorption of dietary iron or utilization of circulating iron.

Design

Iron absorption and utilization from an iron-fortified sorghum-based meal were estimated by using oral and intravenous isotope labels in 23 afebrile women with a positive malaria smear (asexual P. falciparum parasitemia; > 500 parasites/μL blood). The women were studied while infected, treated, and then restudied 10 d after treatment. Iron status, hepcidin, and inf

SUBMITTER: Cercamondi CI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2980964 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature