Malaria in pregnancy

Background: Malaria in pregnancy contributes to low birth weight and increased infant mortality.     

Malaria in Pregnancy

Background

Malaria in pregnancy contributes to low birth weight and increased infant mortality.

Methods

The study included 416 pregnant women reporting with fever and the impact of malaria on pregnancy was assessed.

Result

The study revealed that the protozoal infection affects second trimester more commonly. It increases the chances of abortions, intrapartum foetal distress and meconium stained amniotic fluid.

Conclusion

Malaria is an important cause of feto-maternal morbidity during pregnancy.Key Words: Malaria in pregnancy, Plasmodium     

Malaria

Malaria is a parasitic infection of global importance. Although relatively uncommon in developed countries, where the disease occurs mainly in travellers who have returned from endemic regions, it remains one of the most prevalent infections of humans worldwide. In endemic regions, malaria is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality and creates enormous social and economic burdens. Current efforts to control malaria focus on reducing attributable morbidity and mortality. Targeted chemoprophylaxis and use of insecticide-treated bed nets have been successful in some endemic areas. For travellers to malaria-endemic regions, personal protective measures and appropriate chemoprophylaxis can significantly reduce the risk of infection. Prompt evaluation of the febrile traveller, a high degree of suspicion of malaria, rapid and accurate diagnosis, and appropriate antimalarial therapy are essential in order to optimize clinical outcomes of infected patients. Additional approaches to malaria control, including genetic manipulation of mosquitoes and malaria vaccines, are areas of ongoing research.     

Malaria in Northern Ireland

The clinical features, parasitology and prophylactic history of 67 patients who imported malaria to Northern Ireland between 1974 and 1983 are reported. P. falciparum infections were encountered more frequently than anticipated from current United Kingdom experience. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.     

台湾省的疟疾根除

台湾于1946年在南部设立疟疾研究所，负责疟疾与蚊虫调查，媒介测定，防治研究与培训，在1952－1956年攻击防治期，每年对疟 区一部住房和牲畜棚实施DDTI事留喷洒，喷洒前每年发生的疟疾病例超过100万，1953年降至40万例，到1956年仅报道676例，1964年世界卫生组织（WHO）评价结果显示，连续三年来未发现当地原发病例，疟区喷洒3－5年后除在少数边远地区存在媒介幼虫外，住房和牲畜棚内未再发现媒介蚊虫，所以，WHO于1965年颁发了（台湾）根除疟疾证书，此后，进入对输入病例严格监测阶段。