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Children of women who carry the bilharzia (schistosomiasis) worm during pregnancy are more prone to infections, a new study has found.

Bilharzia is a disease which is caused by the infection of blood flukes which enters through skin. The research found that in Uganda the main reason is Schistosoma mansoni which resides in the blood vessels of the lay eggs that pass out in faeces and intestines. The eggs are swept into the lake in rains and the young worm enters snail.

“The children are often infected when they accompany their mothers to the lake to collect water for domestic use,” said Dr. Robert Tweyongyere in a press release who is also one of the lead researchers.

Expectant mothers were examined by the researchers for possible effects of Schistosoma mansoni. At present, children that are five years and less are neglected during the campaigns against bilharzia. Not even medicines distribution is considered among them.

Researchers believe that the Maternal bilharzia or its treatment during pregnancy might influence the body’s immune responses to bilharzia worms.

“This may have some effect on the progress of disease manifestations,” says Dr. Robert Tweyongyere in the press release.

Providing better access to clean water is one possible solution.

“Provision of clean water, which may indirectly reduce mothers accessing the lake, would have a direct impact in reducing bilharzia infection in the children,” said Prof. Alison Elliott of LSHTM.

Researchers also feel that proper hygiene and sanitation could improve the situations. They also suggested the affected communities to use latrines properly.

The study published in the journal PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases was conducted by team of researchers from different universities like Makerere University, Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), University of Cambridge and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).