Malaria infection during pregnancy in area of stable transmission

Abstract

Every year, at least 30 million women in malarious areas of Africa become pregnant. The principal impact of malaria during pregnancy is associated with malaria-related anaemia and placental parasitemia. Placental parasitemia is estimated to contribute up to 30% of preventable low birthweight (LBW), a leading cause of neonatal death in areas of stable malaria transmission. This review discusses the effects of plasmodium falciparum malaria (p.falciparum) in pregnancy in areas of stable malaria transmission and the effective strategies for prevention and control.

Keywords: malaria, pregnancy, semi-immune women, anaemia, low birthweight

Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 49(5) 2006: 112-116