Prevalence of Seroconversion Toxoplasmosis and Pregnancy Outcome among Childbearing Age Women in Thi-Qar

Abstract

Background. In Iraq, the prevalence rate of toxoplasmosis is variable among different regions according to a few discrete studies. Ninety per cent of toxoplasmosis infections are asymptomatic in immunocompetent people. Aim of Study. To assess the prevalence of seroconversion toxoplasmosis pregnancy outcome among childbearing-age women in Thi-Qar. Patients and Methods. This cross-sectional observational study included pregnant women who were attending different primary care health institutions from September 2023 till April 2024. In-person interviews using a questionnaire administered by the interviewer to gather data on risk variables including age, address, education attained, family history of (DM), number of previous GDM deaths, etc. Results. Pregnant ladies with positive Toxoplasmosis mean age (31.44 ± 6.61) years were significantly older than those with negative Toxoplasmosis (27.27 ± 6.11) years. furthermore, they were having higher weight 77.49 ± 12.15 kg and BMI 31.20 ± 5.28 kg\m2 than those negative Toxoplasmsis` (BMI = 29.24 ± 5.13 kg\m2) (p-value = 0.03). Women with positive Toxoplasmosis had higher blood glucose 154.42 ± 72.56 mg\dL than the other group 114.79 ± 44.67 mg\dL (p-value < 0.001), and HbA1c was higher 7.55 ± 1.76 than the other group 6.66 ± 1.18. Toxoplasmosis infestation has a significant effect on the fate of pregnancy as an increase in the risk and frequency of abortion show a significant statically difference with positive toxoplasmosis (71.1% vs. 23.6%). The incidence of congenital malformation was significantly higher among seropositive toxoplasmosis (9%) than those negative (2%). Conclusions. History of abortion, number of abortions, congenital malformation and GDM are significant independent predictors of the infection.