28/06/2025
Pregnancy and malaria in all ramifications, by all standards should be sworn enemies. Malaria infection on its own is debilitating and can be fatal if left untreated. Unfortunately, with all the massive investment into malaria eradication, this scourge remains the commonest health ailment in sub Saharan Africa.
Despite increased malaria control efforts, recent reports still indicate that over millions of people die yearly from malaria and malaria related complications. Pregnant women represent a particularly vulnerable risk group, simply because pregnancy state places a heavy burden on the immunity. Another reason is because, malaria parasite has a preference to attack the placenta, which is a vital connection between the mother and the developing fetus. Malaria infection can lead to life-threatening disease for the mother and fetus❗
Globally 100s of million women are at risk of malaria in pregnancy every year. It's therefore important better diagnostic and preventive tools are developed for timely identification and treatment and prevention of malaria infection during pregnancy.
Malaria is caused by a parasite called plasmodium, which is transmitted via bites from mosquitoes. This is the commonest means of transmitting malaria.
1. Malaria is a blood borne infection. It attacks the blood cells(Red Blood Cell).
2. Malaria is endemic(Common in Nigeria and sundry)
3. Malaria affects all populations, but pregnant women and children are the most vulnerable
4. Pregnant women are more likely to be infected with malaria than their non-pregnant counterparts.
5. Pregnant women are at increased risk of adverse clinical outcomes including anemia and death.
6. Pregnancies exposed to malaria are at increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm delivery and fetal growth restriction.
7. Malaria is estimated to contribute to 200,000 infant deaths annually globally as a result of low birth weight (LBW) deliveries. This is one of the killers of infants.
8. Accurate diagnosis of malaria infection during pregnancy is critical for timely and appropriate clinical management.
9. Pregnant women must be given adequate access to antenatal care, inadequate care result in missed diagnoses, delayed treatment and serious health implications for mother and child.
10. Malaria preventive measure in pregnancy involves the use of
(A) long-lasting insecticidal nets among pregnant women,
(b) Indoor residual spraying
(c) Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy) in areas of high malaria transmission
11. Malaria infection in pregnant women is associated with high risks of both maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.
12. While the mechanism is poorly understood, pregnant women have a reduced immune response and are prone to malaria infection.
13. Pregnant women are three times more likely to develop severe disease than non-pregnant women acquiring infections from the same area
of
1. Anemia is commonest symptom of malaria during pregnancy in both poor and developing nations. The endemic nature of malaria triggers the disease in pregnant women and that makes the woman more susceptible to anemia during pregnancy.
2. It is one of the most visible symptoms of malaria and any pregnant woman who is anemic should be tested for the presence of malarial parasites
3. Fever is another symptom of malaria during pregnancy. Fever due to malaria can be of variable grades ranging from low grade to high grade fever
4. In the second trimester of pregnancy fever symptoms of malaria can appear in the form of paroxysms or sudden attacks and chills.
5. Enlargement of the spleen is another symptom of malaria during pregnancy. This is not commonly seen but possible
6. Sweats.
7. Diarrhea and vomiting
8. Chills and shivering
9. Headaches
10. Fatigue, weakness
11. Poor appetite
12. In rare cases, malaria can lead to impaired function of the brain or spinal cord, seizures convulsions /, or loss of consciousness, if the fever is not controlled. This can range from being mild to extreme.
13. Pregnant women with malaria may also exhibit symptoms of Muscle or back pain or both.
14. Dry cough.
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