Congenital Plasmodium vivax Malaria in a Non-Endemic Country; A Unique Case in the Netherlands

Abstract

Congenital malaria is a rare complication of Plasmodium infection during pregnancy. We present a case of a neonate with a mother who migrated from an endemic area. The mother developed fever during delivery due to Plasmodium vivax infection. Despite postnatal negative screening for malaria, the neonate developed fever on day 20 and was diagnosed with Plasmodium vivax malaria. The neonate was successfully treated with chloroquine. Follow-up including repeated malaria screening might have spared the neonate a period of illness with consecutive chances of complications.