Retrospective study of congenital malaria in Calabar, South- Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Perinatal infection heightens the risk of childhood malaria in endemic areas. In Nigeria, exhaustive case studies are necessary to document obviously unrecorded cases of infantile malaria to aid control efforts. Aim: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of congenital malaria among neonates delivered in the hospital. Methods: A retrospective analysis of a five-year medical record, 2009 to 2013 was conducted in General Hospital, Calabar. The study examined laboratory data of 9,398 pregnant women on antenatal admission and 5,730 children aged 0-7 days; delivered in the hospital within the five-year period. Records of confirmed blood tests by microscopy for Plasmodium species were extracted for analysis. Data were analysed using descriptive and nonparametric statistics. Results: The study identified congenital malaria prevalence of 1.08% and maternal malaria prevalence of 9.17% within the period. The relationship between maternal malaria and congenital malaria was statistically significant (X 2 = 13.62; P = 0.05). The five-year prevalence profile indicated a rising trend of congenital malaria towards the current year; from 21% in 2009, 29% in 2010, 14.5% in both 2011 and 2012, to 21% in 2013. Conclusion: Findings suggest possible weakness in the mechanism of maternal malaria management in the city. There is a need to strengthen the existing malaria control capabilities, with ardent attention on vector control, intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women and capacity for early diagnosis and case management.