An influx of Indochinese refugees into the Philadelphia area prompted a review of their reproductive performance as related to parasitic diseases and other infectious complications. A total of 100 infants were delivered of 97 women over an 18-month period (41 Vietnamese, 28 Laotian, 26 Cambodian, 2 Thai). Intestinal parasites were present in 65% of the mothers. Additional infections included 1 case of malaria, 1 of gonorrhea, 4 of syphilis, 5 of hepatitis B surface antigen and 12 of positive tuberculin (5-tuberculin-unit) skin tests. When comparing Southeast Asian gravidas with and without parasites, there were no significant differences between mean hemoglobin values, mean gestational age at delivery and mean birth weights of their infants. Although the Southeast Asian refugees had a high rate of infectious complications, they proved to have favourable pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.

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cestode protozoon parasitosis trematode male genital system Pregnancy Complications, Infectious human Refugees middle aged social aspect priority journal Malaria large intestine teratogenic agent digestive system small intestine United States gonorrhea Humans anemia Adolescent female genital system chemotherapy female tuberculosis Liver newborn pregnancy nematode Syphilis clinical article therapy adult Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic ethnic or racial aspects nervous system hepatitis B Birth Weight Asia, Southeastern blood and hemopoietic system