Abstract
The effect of malaria infection on hepatic and renal functions in pregnancywas investigated. Three malarious and non-malarious pregnant women of age ranges 15 to 40 years with a mean (SD) of 23.5 (6.6) years and a median (IQR) of 20.5 (18.3 to 27) years were enrolled. Liver enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP) and Kidney (UCE) functions were determined using Randox standard assay kits. The levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and albumin were significant as malaria infected pregnant women had significantly lowered levels of ALP and albumin compared to controls (21.3 vs 26.1 IU/L, P = 0.03 and 4.8 vs 6.0 g/dl P = 0.02). There was no significant difference between malaria infected pregnant women and their non-malarious counterparts (P > 0.05) in their renal functions. There was no significant difference in mean concentrations of urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium and chloride regardless of the severity of malaria. Usually in pregnancy markers of liver function decrease due to expansion of extracellular fluid except alkaline phosphatase which is elevated due to its placental origin. Results of this study showed decreased level of ALP which could possibly be an indication that the parasite has not reached its hepatic stage. The severity of gestational malaria depends on the initial immunity of the pregnant woman. The impact of malaria on pregnancy and conversely, the impact of pregnancy on malaria, are two factors which must be put into consideration during gestational malaria
Highlights
Malaria is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in the world
The levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and albumin were significant as malaria infected pregnant women had significantly lowered levels of ALP and albumin compared to controls (21.3 vs 26.1 IU/L, P = 0.03 and 4.8 vs 6.0 g/dl P = 0.02)
Results of this study showed decreased level of ALP which could possibly be an indication that the parasite has not reached its hepatic stage
Summary
Malaria is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. The disease is transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes which carry infective sporozoite stage of Plasmodium parasite in their salivary glands, which is transmitted from person to person through the bite of the mosquito. Several theories have been put forward to explain this increased risk including changes to the cellular immune responses that otherwise should offer protection, and increased attractiveness of the pregnant woman to mosquitoes The former is believed to result from the increased level of circulating maternal steroids in pregnancy (Okpere, 2004). Lindsay et al (2000) found that pregnant women attracted twice the number of anopheles mosquito compared to their nonpregnant counterparts (Linsay et al, 2000) This they believed may be connected to certain physiological and behavioral changes that occur in pregnancy including increased volume of exhaled air and release of volatile substances (Linsay et al, 2000). The need to look into malaria infection in pregnancy, this study might give some insight into management of malarious pregnancy in Jigawa State and Nigeria at large
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