Malaria in pregnancy

Malaria during pregnancy is a recognised risk factor for maternal and foetal complications and it is endemic in certain areas of our country. Pregnancy also enhances the severity of malaria particularly with P falciparum infestation. The outcome of effects of malaria in pregnancy on the mother and foetus is studied here. This is a prospective observational study conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology of RG Kar Medical College during the period from 1st January 2001 to 31st December 2006. Forty pregnant women with malaria in pregnancy were studied. Another 40 non- pregnant women during the same period were served as control. The maternal complications were compared with the controls and the outcome of pregnancy was studied. There was statistically significant (p < 0.05) increase in the incidence of anaemia, cerebral malaria, renal failure, hepatic failure, hypoglycaemia, hypotension and death in the pregnant women in comparison to non-pregnant women. P falciparum infection was also more during pregnancy. There was also increased incidence of abqrtion, preterm labour, intra-uterine growth restriction and intra-uterine foetal death. Treatment with antimalarial drugs particularly in cerebral malaria does not give good results as there were 12 maternal deaths in this series. Every attempt should be made to prevent malaria during pregnancy by various measures as it is associated with high maternal morbidity and mortality and adversely affects the neonatal outcome.     

Anticonvulsants in pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: To review the potential problems and their management associated with the use of anticonvulsant drugs during pregnancy. DATA SOURCES: Studies published between 1968 and 1990 assessing the effect of pregnancy on the pharmacokinetics of anticonvulsant drugs, the teratogenicity of anticonvulsants, breast feeding and anticonvulsants and use of the oral contraceptive pill in patients taking anticonvulsant medication, were reviewed. RESULTS OF DATA SYNTHESIS: In general, plasma levels fall during pregnancy and rise during the puerperium. A number of factors including possible reduced absorption, increased volume of distribution, reduced protein binding, increased clearance and noncompliance, contribute to this fall in plasma concentration. All anticonvulsants are potentially teratogenic. The incidence of fetal malformations is higher in patients treated with multiple anticonvulsant drugs and on higher dosages with higher plasma levels. Anticonvulsants are excreted in low concentrations in breast milk. All anticonvulsants except valproic acid have been associated with failure of the oral contraceptive pill. This is due to liver enzyme induction of these drugs. CONCLUSION: As plasma levels of anticonvulsants fall during pregnancy, concentrations should be monitored regularly. Due to the fall in protein binding, marginally low total plasma levels of highly protein bound drugs may not reflect reduced unbound levels, and hence an increase in dosage may not be required. In order to reduce teratogenicity, one should aim to use a single anticonvulsant drug and the lowest dosage able to achieve seizure control. In general, breast feeding is not contraindicated.     

Nutrition in pregnancy

Epidemiological evidence shows that women living in affluent circumstances have bigger babies with a lower mortality than underpriviliged women. How much of that effect is due to nutrition alone is not known but supplementary feeding in pregnancy of chronically ill nourished women does appear to increase mean birth weight, and famine conditions in a basically well nourished community reduce the birth weight; in both cases the birth weight difference is relatively small and could be accounted for by no more than fetal adipose tissue.     

Malaria in pregnancy

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