Profile of Maternal Iron in Malaria Endemic Areas

During pregnancy, the need of iron increase significantly. Iron is needed for increasing the amount of mother's red blood cell and form the red blood cell of fetus and placenta. If this iron needs is not fulfilled, it could cause iron deficiency anemia. Pregnant women who live in endemic malaria will be vulnerable to be infected malaria, and will cause anemia in pregnancy. This research was aimed to know iron profile in pregnant women that live in endemic malaria area. Malaria microscopic examination and blood sampling for examination of iron profile in 55 pregnant women trimester II and III who have a history of malaria in 5 working area health centers. The data obtained was then performed univariate analysis. The results showed pregnant women who have malaria history, 90.5% are suffering anemia, decreasing of Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) level (41.5%) and 17% Fe serum level (17%). Pregnant women who are infected vivax malaria not only experiencing decrease of hemoglobin level but also experiencing decrease of Fe serum level and TIBC level, while pregnant woman who suffers from falciparum malaria haemoglobin (Hb) level and TIBC are decreasing but not in serum Fe levels. Pregnant women with history of malaria infection will suffer from anemia during pregnancy.