Malaria in pregnancy: effect on maternal and fetal outcome in north-west Rajasthan

Background & Objective: Malaria infection during pregnancy is a significant public health problem with substantial risks for the pregnant woman, her foetus, and the newborn child. So we conducted this study to predict the complications and outcome of malaria during pregnancy. Material & Methods: It was a case control type of study carried out at S.P. Medical College and Associate Groups of Hospitals, Bikaner, Rajasthan. 50 cases of pregnancy with malaria and 50 controls of pregnant females without malaria were chosen for study. Results: The incidence of severe anaemia is 52% in cases and 4% in controls (p-value<0.0001). Thrombocytopenia was seen in 48% of patients. Jaundice was reported in 8% of cases. 6% of cases suffered from renal failure. The incidence of abortions is 10% in cases as compared to 4% in controls (p-value<0.21). The incidence of IUGR (Intrauterine growth retardation) babies is 18% in case group as compared to 2% in control group (p-value<0.01). The incidence of intra-uterine deaths is 10% in cases as compared to 2% in controls (p-value<0.10). As compared to the control group which has 16% babies in low birth weight category 50% of babies in case group had weight in low birth weight category(p-value<0.02). Early neonatal deaths were only reported in case group with an incidence of 6% (p-value<0.12). Conclusion: Maternal malaria increases the incidence of severe anaemia, thrombocytopenia, renal failure, hepatic failure, multi organ dysfunction in pregnant females and also increases the risk of spontaneous abortion, intra-uterine growth retardation, intra-uterine death, premature delivery and low birth weight.