Nutritional Advice El MondoObjectives:
Is there a difference in the mean concentrations of ferritin, hepcidin, retinol or retinol binding protein between individuals with asymptomatic or clinical malaria and healthy controls?
Study design:
This review article included 44 studies.
Results and conclusions:
The investigators found mean ferritin concentrations were elevated by 28.2 µg/L [95% CI = 15.6 to 40.9] in children with asymptomatic malaria compared to individuals without malaria infection.
The investigators found mean ferritin concentrations were elevated by 28.5 µg/L [95% CI = 8.1 to 48.8] in adults with asymptomatic malaria compared to individuals without malaria infection.
The investigators found mean ferritin concentrations were elevated by 366 µg/L [95% CI = 162 to 570] in children with clinical malaria compared to individuals without malaria infection.
The investigators found mean hepcidin concentrations were elevated by 1.52 nmol/L [95% CI = 0.92 to 2.11] in children with asymptomatic malaria compared to individuals without malaria infection.
The investigators found mean retinol concentrations were reduced by 0.11 µmol/L [95% CI = -0.22 to -0.01] in children with asymptomatic malaria compared to individuals without malaria infection.
The investigators found mean retinol concentrations were reduced by 0.43 µmol/L [95% CI = -0.71 to -0.16] in children with clinical malaria compared to individuals without malaria infection.
The investigators found mean retinol concentrations were reduced by 0.73 µmol/L [95% CI = -1.11 to -0.36] in adults with clinical malaria compared to individuals without malaria infection.
The investigators found most of these results were stable in sensitivity analyses.
The investigators found in children with clinical malaria and pregnant women, difference in ferritin concentrations were greater in areas with higher transmission intensity.
The investigators concluded that biomarkers of iron and vitamin A status should be statistically adjusted for malaria and the severity of infection. Several studies analysing asymptomatic infections reported elevated ferritin concentrations without noticeable elevation of inflammation markers, indicating a need to adjust for malaria status in addition to inflammation adjustments.
Original title:
Measuring the impact of malaria infection on indicators of iron and vitamin A status: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis by Sandalinas F, Filteau S, […], Hopkins H.
Link:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35260210/
Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more information/studies on food fortification/malnutrition and malaria right here.