Malaria N° 3 - Subject N° 2

MALARIA AND PREGNANCY
P. Bourée

Malaria and pregnancy are two conditions which have an impact upon one another. A Congolese patient aged 25 years, suffering from weakness and weight loss was hospitalised at 23 weeks gestation.
Laboratory investigations showed a haemolytic anaemia and a progressive visceral malaria sensitive to chloroquine. Pregnancy aggravates malaria and parasitaemia is higher in the prima gravida, especially during the second trimester. Malaria leads to anaemia, a maternal and infant mortality factor. Prophylaxis and treatment of malaria are vital in pregnancy.

KEY-WORDS: Malaria, Pregnancy, Plasmodium falciparum