Malaria In Pregnancy Flashcards
Malaria in pregnancy
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Have you had malaria during pregnancy before?
Have you experienced any fever that comes with chills, headache and joint pain ?
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Malaria is a disease caused by parasites called plasmodium species, it is spread by mosquitoes, mostly found in tropical Africa, they are 5 species
P. Malariae, vivax, ovale, Knowlesi, falciparum . The deadliest is falciparum, as it is responsible for severe complications of malaria especially in children under 5yrs , pregnant and HIV individuals.
Epidemiology
According to WHO it’s was estimated that about 263 million new cases and 597 deaths occurred globally in 2023 due to malaria.
Nigeria carries the highest burden of the disease
Aetiology
Malaria spreads through mosquito bites, the female anopheles mosquito Carries the parasite
It can also spread through transfusion with infected blood , contaminated needles.
Vertically from mother to child at delivery.
Risk factors
Sleeping without mosquito nets
Not using mosquito repellent
Leaving stagnant water
Wearing exposing clothes in endemic areas
Symptoms and Complications
Mild fever, headache, nausea, vomiting
Severe case occur due to pregnancy leading to complications to mother and child example
Accumulation of fluid in lungs
Low blood level and glucose
Multiple convulsions as well as miscarriage, preterm delivery
Small weak baby
Congenital malaria is baby
Maternal or fetal death
Diagnosis and treatment
Malaria can be diagnosed through blood tests
The thin and thick film
Rapid diagnostic tests
Treatment
It depends on severity of the case
Artemisinin based combination therapy is the standard treatment of mild malaria in all trimester
In severe cases, IV Artesunate is used, as well as IV quinine if artesunate is unavailable, followed by complete course of artemisinin based combination therapy
Also treatment of complications depends on the type of complications
Blood transfusion in case of low blood level
Glucose containing fluid in case of low blood glucose
Prevention
It can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites, taking prophylactic drugs and vaccine to prevent the onset
You can prevent bites by wearing protective clothing in endemics areas eg treated bed nets, repellent and prevention of stagnant water as it serves as breeding sites for mosquitoes
WHO recommends intermittent preventive therapy eg sulphodoxine pyrimethamine( fansidar) in pregnant women in endemic areas
Dosing starts at second trimester usually after fetal movement is felt, and given at least 4 weeks apart with objective of ensuring at least 2 doses are received
In October 2024, a vaccine R21/matrix for malaria was introduced in Nigeria, however it’s currently only available for children under 5years
Empathy
I know this might be a lot to take in , but with your support and compliance we will be here to support you and ensure the safety of both you and your child
Retell
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In your own words could you retell all that I have said
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