Abstract
Malaria in pregnancy is a major public health probl em in endemic areas of sub-Saharan Africa and has important consequences on birth outcome. There are subtle and substantial changes in hematological parameters of malaria in pregnancy. This work is de signed to ascertain the impact of malaria in pregna nt women visiting Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki II. Out of the 100 pregnant women screened for malaria, 44 (44.0%) were positive for malaria paras ite. Of the 44.0% pregnant women positive for malaria parasite, the age range of 26-30 years (31. 8%) were more infected with malaria parasite, followed by 21-25 years (22.7), while 41-45 (4.5%) years were the least infected. Pregnant women with no formal education were most infected (36.4%), fol lowed by primary education (27.3%), while secondary education showed the lowest rate of malar ia in pregnancy (13.6%). Housewives reported the highest cases of malaria in pregnancy, while studen t reported the lowest (9.2%). Married women showed the highest cases of malaria in pregnancy (79.5%), while widow reported the lowest (2.3). Christian reported in the highest cases of pregnancy in malar ia (46.0%) and Muslim the least (40.0%). The mean values of the haematological parameters of pregnant women with respect to parasitaemia were Heamoglobin (9.78±37.45 g/dL), Packed cell volume (31.56±2721.14%), White blood count (8.58±50.06◊10 3 /mm 2 ), Neutrophils (57.96±1004.97%), Lymphocyte (28.24±1392.97%), Mesophils (7.28±110.49%), Eosinophils (3.62±1156.91%) and Platelets (141.88±133873.07◊10 9 /l). This study have shown that the adverse consequences of malaria in p regnancy has great impact on heamatological parameters which may affect not only the neonate and infant but also increase the risk of non communic able diseases when the child grows into an adult and the risk of low birth weight in the next generation.
Highlights
Malaria is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions in a broad band around the equator, including much of Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Americas
Out of the 100 pregnant women screened for malaria, 44 (44.0%) were positive for malaria parasite
Pregnant women with no formal education were most infected (36.4%), followed by primary education (27.3%), while secondary education showed the lowest rate of malaria in pregnancy (13.6%)
Summary
Malaria is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions in a broad band around the equator, including much of Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Americas. The vast majority of deaths are caused by P. falciparum while P. vivax, P. ovale and. P. malariae cause a generally milder form of malaria that is rarely fatal (Beare et al, 2006). It has been recognized for nearly a century that pregnant women are especially prone to severe malaria (Nayak et al, 2009). 50 million pregnant women are exposed to malaria each year (Gamble et al, 2009). The burden of Malaria In Pregnancy (MIP) remains high in endemic areas, where despite
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