Meta assessment by Chukwuma
Chinaza Adaobi
Why Pregnant Women Are Especially at Risk
Adults who have survived repeated malaria infections
throughout their lifetimes may become partially immune to severe or fatal
malaria. However, because of the changes in women’s immune systems during
pregnancy and the presence of a new organ (the placenta) with new places for
parasites to bind, pregnant women lose some of their immunity to malaria
infection.
Malaria infection during pregnancy can have adverse
effects on both mother and fetus, including maternal anaemia, fetal loss,
premature delivery, intrauterine growth retardation, and delivery of low
birth-weight infants (<2500 g or <5.5 pounds), a risk factor for death.
It is a particular problem for women in their first and second pregnancies and for women who are HIV-positive.
Adverse Effects Vary by Transmission Level
The problems that malaria infection causes differ somewhat
by the type of malaria transmission area: stable (high) or unstable (low)
transmission.
- In
high transmission areas, women have developed immunity that generally
prevents severe disease, however, parasites specifically targets the
placenta, leading to increased risk during pregnancy gained a level of
immunity to malaria that wanes somewhat during pregnancy. Malaria
infection is more likely to contribute to maternal anaemia and delivery of
low birth-weight infants (<2500 g or <5.5 pounds). It is a
particular problem for women in their first and second pregnancies, for
younger women, and for women who are HIV-positive.
- In
low transmission areas, women generally have developed no immunity to
malaria. Malaria infection is more likely to result in severe malaria
disease, maternal anaemia, premature delivery, or fetal loss.
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