OBJECTIVE: To determine the burden of congenital malaria in newborns in Nigeria. METHODS: In a prospective multi-centre study, 1875 consecutive mother-baby pairs were enrolled over a continuous 12-month period. Blood smears were prepared from mothers, neonates, placental aspirates and cord blood within 4 h of delivery. Outcome variables were patent parasitaemia in the mother, placenta, cord and neonate in addition to maternal and neonatal haematocrit. RESULTS: Patent parasitaemia was detected in 95 neonates (5.1%). The occurrence varied between study centres, but was found year round in all sites. The mean parasite density among infected neonates was low (48 asexual forms per microl, range 8-200/microl). Maternal and placental parasitaemia were the most important risk factors for patent neonatal parasitaemia (P < 0.0001). Spontaneous clearance of parasitaemia occurred in 62.1% of neonates before day 2. 33.7% were symptomatic within 3 days of birth. CONCLUSION: Congenital malaria is often asymptomatic, clears spontaneously and may not warrant treatment. However, newborns with unexplained fever and refusal to feed in malaria endemic areas should be tested for malaria.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the burden of congenital malaria in newborns in Nigeria. METHODS: In a prospective multi-centre study, 1875 consecutive mother-baby pairs were enrolled over a continuous 12-month period. Blood smears were prepared from mothers, neonates, placental aspirates and cord blood within 4 h of delivery. Outcome variables were patent parasitaemia in the mother, placenta, cord and neonate in addition to maternal and neonatal haematocrit. RESULTS:Patent parasitaemia was detected in 95 neonates (5.1%). The occurrence varied between study centres, but was found year round in all sites. The mean parasite density among infected neonates was low (48 asexual forms per microl, range 8-200/microl). Maternal and placental parasitaemia were the most important risk factors for patent neonatal parasitaemia (P < 0.0001). Spontaneous clearance of parasitaemia occurred in 62.1% of neonates before day 2. 33.7% were symptomatic within 3 days of birth. CONCLUSION:Congenital malaria is often asymptomatic, clears spontaneously and may not warrant treatment. However, newborns with unexplained fever and refusal to feed in malaria endemic areas should be tested for malaria.
Authors: Olabisi A Oduwole; G C Ejezie; Friday A Odey; Chioma M Oringanje; Davis Nwakanma; Segun Bello; Eniyou Oriero; Joseph Okebe; Anyawu A Alaribe; Saturday Etuk; Martin Meremikwu Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2011-03 Impact factor: 2.345
Authors: Steve M Taylor; Anna Maria van Eijk; Carla C Hand; Kashamuka Mwandagalirwa; Jane P Messina; Antoinette K Tshefu; Benjamin Atua; Michael Emch; Jérémie Muwonga; Steven R Meshnick; Feiko O Ter Kuile Journal: J Infect Dis Date: 2011-10-11 Impact factor: 5.226
Authors: Michael K Mwaniki; Alison W Talbert; Florence N Mturi; James A Berkley; Piet Kager; Kevin Marsh; Charles R Newton Journal: Malar J Date: 2010-11-06 Impact factor: 2.979
Authors: Olugbenga A Mokuolu; Catherine O Falade; Adeola A Orogade; Henrietta U Okafor; Olanrewaju T Adedoyin; Tagbo A Oguonu; Hannah O Dada-Adegbola; O A Oguntayo; Samuel K Ernest; Davidson H Hamer; Michael V Callahan Journal: Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol Date: 2009-07-20