HIV and Anemia Among Pregnant.

Dear Editor,

The recent publication on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and anemia among pregnant is very interesting.[1] Oladeinde et al., reported that “prevalence of HIV and anemia among pregnant women were 10.2% and 49.3%, respectively”[1] and concluded that pregnancy was not a risk for HIV infection but related to anemia. Indeed, both anemia and HIV infection are important public health problems at present. These two conditions affect million populations around the world and the pregnant is the vulnerable group. Since HIV infection is a kind of sexually transmitted disease, it is no doubt that it can be seen in any pregnant females with HIV seropositive husbands.

Focusing on anemia is a classical disease that has been mentioned for a very long time. The anemia in pregnancy is a big topic in obstetrics. According to the present antenatal clinic practice, screening for anemia and supplementation to promote red blood cells is routinely done. The anemia in pregnancy is proved to be an important obstetric complication that can affect both mother and child. At least, it should be noted that anemia in pregnancy is proved “worsened by the presence of other chronic diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, and diabetes”.[2]

It is confirmed that “There was a significant prevalence of anemia” among HIV seropositive pregnant.[3] Indeed, the present report seems to be interesting report but might be non informative in epidemiological aspect. The problems are due to the few subjects and no control of confounding factor. Indeed, several factors such as coinfestation with parasite, vitamin status and immunity are all proved to affect the severity of anemia in the case with HIV infection.[4] The situation might be different in other settings. In another report from Nigeria, it is noted “Care providers must endeavor to determine the HIV status of every pregnant woman especially if she presents with anemia with a view to providing appropriate interventions”.[5] Finally, it should be repeatedly noted that there are many facts that can lead to anemia such as the congenital hemoglobin disorder.