NTDs contribute to anemia, vomiting, diarrhea, malnutrition and organ damage. Growth and cognitive development are also affected in children, who are highest risk for infection. Contributing to maternal and neonatal mortality, NTDs can complicate pregnancy by causing severe anemia. Recent research indicates that chronic parasitic infections can impair protective immune responses against many unrelated infections (including malaria, TB, and HIV) and can cause impaired responses to vaccines. 8 Direct costs of treatment for NTDs, combined with the indirect costs of productive labor time lost due to morbidity and mortality, have severe negative impact on the economies of afflicted communities. .
