Journal of Bacteriology & Parasitology

Abstract

Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum Parasitaemia in Exclusively Breastfed Children Aged 0-6 Month in the Ouidah Kpomassè-Tori-Bossito Health Region in Benin

Sissinto-Savi de Tové Y1, Ogouyèmi-Hounto A1, Alao MJ2, Hounkpatin A3, Hounsou M3, Kintin D1, Bankolé P1 , Adéothy A1, Fassinou C1, Adomahou D1, Adisso L1, Nama Medoua G5, El Kouri K6, Amoussou Guenou K4, MassougbodjiA1 and Kindé Gazard D1

Exclusive breastfeeding would reduce susceptibility to malaria according to several studies. The objective of this study was to assess Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) parasitaemia in children under 6 months exclusively breastfed in southern Benin. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014 from February to August. We randomly selected 106 exclusively breastfed children aged from 0 to 6 months in the Ouidah-Kpomassè-Tori-Bossito health region (OKT) in southern Benin. 24 h recall method was used to identify exclusively breastfed children. Plasmodium was detected by a thick drop, blood smear and a real time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). The children average age was 2.2 months. The sex ratio (M/F) was 1. The prevalence of P. falciparum malaria was 0.9%. One child had fever and positive parasitaemia with gamétocytes confirmed by qPCR at 27 Cycle threshold (Ct). This child was 4.2 months old and slept under mosquito bed net. There was no asymptomatic parasitaemia among all the children. The prevalence of P. falciparum parasitaemia in exclusively breastfed children, that was lower than the average prevalence in southern Benin, the practice of breastfeeding should be encouraged and strengthened. Future studies with objective measure of breast milk could help to better classify exclusive breastfeeding.