The impact of malaria during pregnancy on low birth weight in East-Africa: a topical review
Abstract Background Globally, approximately 15% of all babies are born with low birth weight (< 2.5 kg) and ≥ 90% of them are born in low- and middle-income countries. Malaria infection in pregnancy remains a public health concern as it can affect both the mother and the newborn. Notably, it incr...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-08-01
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| Series: | Malaria Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-021-03883-z |
| _version_ | 1819134228662583296 |
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| author | Line Bakken Per Ole Iversen |
| author_facet | Line Bakken Per Ole Iversen |
| author_sort | Line Bakken |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Globally, approximately 15% of all babies are born with low birth weight (< 2.5 kg) and ≥ 90% of them are born in low- and middle-income countries. Malaria infection in pregnancy remains a public health concern as it can affect both the mother and the newborn. Notably, it increases the risk of newborns with low birth weight. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends intermittent preventive treatment with ≥ 3 doses of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) during pregnancy in areas with moderate to high malaria transmission in Africa. The aim of this topical review is to give an overview of the impact of malaria infection during pregnancy on low birth weight, with focus on East Africa where malaria is endemic. Methods Eleven studies were selected according to a predefined set of criteria. Results Three studies showed a significant reduction in the prevalence of low birth weight with intermittent preventive treatment with SP, whereas four studies found no significant impact of such treatment on low birth weight. The number of SP doses and compliance to this treatment may in part explain these discrepancies. Pregnant women with frequent symptomatic malaria infection had significantly higher risk of placental malaria. Conclusion The WHO recommendation of ≥ 3 doses of intermittent preventive treatment with SP during pregnancy seem effective in preventing low birth weight, but treatment compliance is a challenge. Malaria prophylaxis is important during pregnancy, especially in endemic areas of malaria, such as East Africa. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T09:59:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f623641555e345769e53923f15fae928 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1475-2875 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T09:59:51Z |
| publishDate | 2021-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Malaria Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-f623641555e345769e53923f15fae9282022-12-21T18:30:10ZengBMCMalaria Journal1475-28752021-08-012011910.1186/s12936-021-03883-zThe impact of malaria during pregnancy on low birth weight in East-Africa: a topical reviewLine Bakken0Per Ole Iversen1Department of Nutrition, University of OsloDepartment of Nutrition, University of OsloAbstract Background Globally, approximately 15% of all babies are born with low birth weight (< 2.5 kg) and ≥ 90% of them are born in low- and middle-income countries. Malaria infection in pregnancy remains a public health concern as it can affect both the mother and the newborn. Notably, it increases the risk of newborns with low birth weight. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends intermittent preventive treatment with ≥ 3 doses of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) during pregnancy in areas with moderate to high malaria transmission in Africa. The aim of this topical review is to give an overview of the impact of malaria infection during pregnancy on low birth weight, with focus on East Africa where malaria is endemic. Methods Eleven studies were selected according to a predefined set of criteria. Results Three studies showed a significant reduction in the prevalence of low birth weight with intermittent preventive treatment with SP, whereas four studies found no significant impact of such treatment on low birth weight. The number of SP doses and compliance to this treatment may in part explain these discrepancies. Pregnant women with frequent symptomatic malaria infection had significantly higher risk of placental malaria. Conclusion The WHO recommendation of ≥ 3 doses of intermittent preventive treatment with SP during pregnancy seem effective in preventing low birth weight, but treatment compliance is a challenge. Malaria prophylaxis is important during pregnancy, especially in endemic areas of malaria, such as East Africa.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-021-03883-zEast AfricaLow birth weightMalariaPregnancySulfadoxine-pyrimethamine |
| spellingShingle | Line Bakken Per Ole Iversen The impact of malaria during pregnancy on low birth weight in East-Africa: a topical review Malaria Journal East Africa Low birth weight Malaria Pregnancy Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine |
| title | The impact of malaria during pregnancy on low birth weight in East-Africa: a topical review |
| title_full | The impact of malaria during pregnancy on low birth weight in East-Africa: a topical review |
| title_fullStr | The impact of malaria during pregnancy on low birth weight in East-Africa: a topical review |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of malaria during pregnancy on low birth weight in East-Africa: a topical review |
| title_short | The impact of malaria during pregnancy on low birth weight in East-Africa: a topical review |
| title_sort | impact of malaria during pregnancy on low birth weight in east africa a topical review |
| topic | East Africa Low birth weight Malaria Pregnancy Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-021-03883-z |
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