Abstract
Malaria is a parasitic infestation caused by the protozoa Plasmodium, which is transmitted through the bite of the female anopheles mosquito. Pregnancy results in reduction in cell-mediated immunity. This decreased immunity makes pregnant women more susceptible to malaria than non-pregnant women. The treatment of malaria in pregnancy is determined by the stage of pregnancy at which the disease is diagnosed. In holoendemic areas, artemisin-based combination therapy (ACT) is recommended as the standard preferred treatment to improve efficacy and limit drug resistance. Intermitted preventive treatment in pregnancy is the use of anti-malarial medications at defined intervals during the pregnancy regardless of the presence or absence of confirmed malaria. It is recommended that pregnant women in holoendemic areas sleep under insecticide-treated bed-nets in order to reduce the frequency of mosquito bites during pregnancy. Effective diagnosis and treatment of malaria helps prevent the occurrence of maternal and fetal complications of malaria.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Protocols for High-Risk Pregnancies |
Subtitle of host publication | An Evidence-Based Approach: Sixth Edition |
Publisher | Wiley Blackwell |
Pages | 232-237 |
Number of pages | 6 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781119001256 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781119000877 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2015 |
Keywords
- Artemisin-based combination therapy
- Cell-mediated immunity
- Female anopheles mosquito
- Fetal complication
- Holoendemic areas
- Insecticide-treated bed-nets
- Intermitted preventive treatment
- Malaria
- Maternal complication
- Parasitic infestation