Abstract
Background: Infections, as well as adverse birth outcomes, may be more frequent in migrant women. Schistosomiasis, echinococcosis, and hepatitis E virus (HEV) seropositivity are associated with the adverse pregnancy outcomes of fetal growth restriction and premature delivery. Methods: A cohort study of 82 pregnant women with a history of migration and corresponding delivery of newborns in Germany was conducted. Results: Overall, 9% of sera tested positive for anti-HEV IgG. None of the patients tested positive for anti-HEV IgM, schistosomiasis, or echinococcus serology. Birth weights were below the 10th percentile for gestational age in 8.5% of the neonates. No association between HEV serology and fetal growth restriction (FGR) frequency was found. Conclusions: In comparison to German baseline data, no increased risk for HEV exposure or serological signs of exposure against schistosomiasis or echinococcosis could be observed in pregnant migrants. An influence of the anti-HEV serology status on fetal growth restriction could not be found.
Highlights
The European Community (EU) is facing the greatest influx of refugees and migrants since the Second World War [1]
The purpose of this research was the examination of the schistosomiasis, echinococcosis, and hepatitis E seropositivity prevalence and their association with the adverse pregnancy outcomes of premature delivery and fetal growth restriction (FGR)
Serology was performed for schistosomiasis in 82 samples and for Echinococcus and hepatitis E in 62 samples, respectively
Summary
The European Community (EU) is facing the greatest influx of refugees and migrants since the Second World War [1]. In a migrant cohort in Germany, Dopfer et al reported the proportion of women of childbearing age was 18%. The question arises as to whether pregnant migrant women may be infected and if an observable influence on pregnancy can be detected. An association of schistosomiasis with premature delivery and low birth weight has been postulated [14,15,16,17], but further data are required. Infections, as well as adverse birth outcomes, may be more frequent in migrant women. Schistosomiasis, echinococcosis, and hepatitis E virus (HEV) seropositivity are associated with the adverse pregnancy outcomes of fetal growth restriction and premature delivery. Conclusions: In comparison to German baseline data, no increased risk for HEV exposure or serological signs of exposure against schistosomiasis or echinococcosis could be observed in pregnant migrants
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