Malaria in pregnancy: a literature review

J Midwifery Womens Health. 2008 May-Jun;53(3):209-215. doi: 10.1016/j.jmwh.2008.02.012.

Abstract

Pregnant women are more likely than nonpregnant women to become infected with malaria and to have severe infection. The effects of malaria during pregnancy include spontaneous abortion, preterm delivery, low birth weight, stillbirth, congenital infection, and maternal death. Malaria is caused by the four species of the protozoa of the genus Plasmodium, which is transmitted by the bite of the female Anopheline mosquito, congenitally, or through exposure to infected blood products. This article reviews the epidemiology, pathology, clinical symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of malaria in pregnant women. Interventions to prevent malaria include intermittent preventive treatment, insecticide-treated nets, and case management of malaria infection and anemia.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anemia / complications
  • Animals
  • Anopheles / parasitology
  • Antimalarials / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insect Vectors / parasitology
  • Malaria* / diagnosis
  • Malaria* / physiopathology
  • Malaria* / therapy
  • Malaria* / transmission
  • Plasmodium / physiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic* / diagnosis
  • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic* / physiopathology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic* / therapy
  • Pyrimethamine / therapeutic use
  • Sulfadoxine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Sulfadoxine
  • Pyrimethamine