Malaria during pregnancy

Malaria infection during pregnancy can pose a substantial risk to the pregnant mom and  her unborn child. It contributes  significantly to maternal and fetal mortality . Malaria is a parasitic infection transmitted by mosquitoes.

Pregnant women have reduce immune response and therefore are less effective in clearing malaria. The malaria parasite can also sequester and replicate in the placenta.

What is the effect of malaria on pregnancy  ?

This condition can lead to the following complications :

• miscarriage
• premature birth
• birth defects
• low birth weight
• stillbirth

Medicine to prevent malaria don’t always work. For this reason and reasons of pregnancy complications, it is important for pregnant women to avoid traveling to areas prevalent in malaria.

If you really need to travel, you should  take medications to prevent malaria. However these medications do not always work. Even though these  medications  have not been  known  to affect  the fetus, their safety has not been established.

How can malaria be prevented ?

You can prevent malaria by avoiding mosquito bites. Bed nets, wearing long sleeve shirts, staying indoors and using air conditioning can help.

If you are traveling and have concerns about your risk for contracting this disease, contact  your local health department.