Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 20 1 2025 02 26 75 82 Fariba Berenji Department of Parasitology and Mycology School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Seyed Aliakbar Shamsian Department of Parasitology and Mycology School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Zeinab Teimourisani Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Mohammad Reza Bagherpoor Department of Parasitology and Mycology School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Mehdi Zarean 1. Department of Parasitology and Mycology School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran 2. Cutaneous Leishmania Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Jamshid Jamali Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Nayereh Ghomian Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Health Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Mahnaz Broumand Rezazadeh Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Health Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad Universi-ty of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Bibi Razieh Hosseini Farash Department of Parasitology and Mycology School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran 2. Cutaneous Leishmania Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran 2024 09 15 2024 11 24 Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common health issue during pregnancy and may be influenced by parasitic infections such as Blastocystis hominis. This study aims to assess the role of Blastocystis hominis infection as a potential risk factor for IDA in pregnant women. Methods: A total of 208 pregnant women were enrolled in this cross-sectional study, including 98 women with IDA (case group) and 110 women without IDA (control group), conducted at Imam Reza and Ghaem Hospitals in Mashhad, Iran during 2022–2023. Hemoglobin and ferritin levels were measured in all participants, with anemia defined as hemoglobin <11 g/dL and ferritin <15 μg/L. Stool samples were collected from all participants to detect B. hominis and other parasitic infections using direct smear, formalin-ether concentration, and modified acid-fast staining methods. Statistical analyses were performed using independent samples t-test and chi-square test, with a significance level of P<0.05. Results: The prevalence of B. hominis infection was significantly higher in the case group (38.8%) compared to the control group (10.9%) (P<0.001). Hemoglobin and ferritin levels were significantly lower in the case group (P<0.001). However, no significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of socioeconomic status, education, or occupation. Conclusion: B. hominis infection may contribute to iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women. Screening for parasitic infections in anemic pregnant women, particularly B. hominis, could improve anemia management during pregnancy. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/4371 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/4371/1410