Definition of malaria in pregnancy A specific syndrome that occurs only in pregnant

women and that is characterized by the accumulation in the placenta of red blood cells
containing the malarial parasite.
Causes of malaria in pregnancy:
Affiliations. Pregnant women are susceptible to malaria during pregnancy. Plasmodium
falciparum, which sequesters in the placenta, causes the greatest disease, contributing
significantly to maternal and infant mortality
signs and symptoms of malaria
Symptoms of malaria include fever, myalgias, chills, headaches and malaise. Anemia is
prominent. Infected red blood cells can adhere to the microvasculature in the lungs and brain and
cause endothelial damage leading to the severe manifestations of the disease.
Consequences of malaria
Malaria infection during pregnancy can have adverse effects on both mother and fetus, including
maternal anemia, fetal loss, premature delivery, intrauterine growth retardation, and delivery of
low birth-weight infants
Treatment of malaria
in the first trimester of pregnancy
For severe malaria, injectable artesunate is the recommended first line treatment; injectable
artemether and quinine are use for second line treatment. Pregnant women in the first
trimester are treated with quinine for severe malaria.
in the second trimester of pregnancy
Artemether-lumefantrine as an additional treatment option for uncomplicated malaria in
pregnant women is important during the second and third trimester of pregnancy at the same
doses recommended for non pregnant women.
Prevention of malaria during pregnancy
 In malarious areas, all pregnant women should sleep under an insecticide- treated
bednet (ITN).
 In addition, in areas of stable transmission of falciparum malaria, all pregnant women
should be given intermitent preventive treatment (IPT).