Albendazole – An Important Part Of Antenatal Package In Hookworm-Rife Zones – Part II

A continuing forthcoming study was undertaken for assessment of variations in hemoglobin concentrations and the neonatal birth weight of chronically anemic mothers that were administered a dose of albendazole during the antenatal phase.

The candidates for this study were chronically anemic women that were:

• Pregnant women.
• Pregnant women in their second or third trimester with at least 2 years birth gap.
• Hemoglobin levels were lesser than or equal to 7gm%.

The candidates excluded from this study included those with:

• Related medical disarrays if any.
• More than one pregnancy.
• Hypertension.
• Antepartum bleeding or placenta previa noted during ultrasound scan.
• Those aged past 35 years of age.
• Past of any bleeding disorders.

For the study 161 moderately chronic anemic women were taken in after they passed through physical exam and the routine procedures of antenatal tests to sideline any medical-related anemia. An ultrasound was recommended in those whose past periods were missing.

One half of the study group that were arbitrarily selected were given a single dosage of albendazole of strength 400mg during 28 to 30 weeks of pregnancy. The remaining part of the group constituted the control group. Both the sets of women were given 200mg ferrous sulphate tablets two times per day. 22 women from the study could not be tracked and were lost to follow up. Hence, the study set was made up of 72 women from set A and 67 women from control set C with no set B present. The duo drugs namely albendazole and iron tablets were given to women to ascertain regular ingestion. The hemoglobin levels at the time of administering albendazole were measured with the assistance of a photoelectric colorimeter. The similar procedure was replicated on those women that were admitted to the labor room when delivery was forthcoming. The babies that were born were accurately weighed on an electronic weighing scale. Any birth defect if present was recorded.

The outcome of the study revealed that the mean hemoglobin levels at term in sets A and C were found to be 10.288gm/dl and 9.052 gm/dl respectively with a mean difference cited at 1.236gm/dl in between the two sets. There was additionally a noticeable difference in birth weight of set A of 196.7g with respect to set C.

Hence, it was concluded that the ease of administering the dosage, no grave maternal or fetal side effects, high efficiency and less costing made albendazole the idyllic de-worming means during pregnancy. Hence, this indicates to the importance of including albendazole in one’s maternal anemia control program.

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