An overview of malaria in pregnancy

Abstract

One hundred twenty-five million pregnant women are at risk for contracting malaria, a preventable cause of maternal and infant morbidity and death. Malaria parasites contribute to adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes due to their preferential accumulation in placental intervillous spaces. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to malaria infections, and malaria infections during pregnancy put their fetuses at risk. Malaria in pregnancy is associated with anemia, stillbirth, low birth weight and maternal and fetal death. We review the challenges to diagnosing malaria in pregnancy, as well as strategies to prevent and treat malaria in pregnancy. Finally, we discuss the current gaps in knowledge and potential areas for continued research.

Malaria in the third trimester and maternal‐perinatal outcome

“…IUFD and LBW were more observed in group A, as noticed in some studies 6 . IUFD and LBW are more observed in cases of placental malaria 5 .…”

“…The prevalence of malaria in pregnancy is in the range of 8.9%–34% 3–5 . Malaria in pregnancy is associated with maternal and fetal complications such as threatened abortion, preterm delivery, anemia in pregnancy, and indirect maternal death 2,5,6 . Malaria in pregnancy should be treated with parenteral artemisinin followed by a full course of oral artemisinin‐based combination therapy 7,8…”

Malaria congénita por Plasmodium falciparum

“…La malaria puede causar enfermedad grave en embarazadas con ninguna o poca inmunidad previa y mujeres de áreas no endémicas viajeras a zonas endémicas 10 . En áreas de alta transmisión las primigestantes producen anticuerpos y están parcialmente protegidas en embarazos posteriores, lo cual no ocurre en áreas de baja transmisión 12 . P. falciparum invade eritrocitos de todas las edades, tiene parasitemias elevadas 13 , hay secuestro placentario de eritrocitos parasitados por la interacción del condroitín sulfato A y la proteína VAR2CSA (Variant Surface antigen 2-CSA) 14 , esto activa la inflamación, la migración de monocitos y la liberación de factores humorales que podrían favorecer el parto pretérmino.…”

“…El engrosamiento de la placenta, la reducción del transporte transplacentario de nutrientes y de la producción de hormonas, alteración en la angiogénesis, cambios en la arquitectura vellosa y en el flujo sanguíneo útero placentario deterioran el crecimiento fetal 12,13 .…”

Evaluation of Malaria Preventive Measures Among Adult Patients Attending the Bamendjou and Foumbot District Hospitals of the West Region of Cameroon

“…Similar to findings from another study in the North West region of Cameroon (32), the young adult age group is more at risk of malaria. Although children < 5 years and pregnant women are naturally more predisposed to malaria(33)(34)(35)(36), differences in exposure patterns may also increase risk of malaria among young adults. Compared to other age groups, young adults are more involved in outdoor activities like farming and could be casual towards malaria preventive measures.…”