Adverse effects of falciparum and vivax malaria and the safety of antimalarial treatment in early pregnancy: A population-based study

Background: The effects of malaria and its treatment in the first trimester of pregnancy remain an area of concern. We aimed to assess the outcome of malaria-exposed and malaria-unexposed first-trimester pregnancies of women from the Thai-Burmese border and compare outcomes after chloroquine-based,...

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Main Authors: McGready, R, Wiladphaingern, J, Ashley, E, Rijken, M, Boel, M, Paw, M, Pimanpanarak, M, Mu, O, Nosten, F, Lee, S, Singhasivanon, P, White, N, Simpson, J
Format: Journal article
Published: 2012
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author McGready, R
Wiladphaingern, J
Ashley, E
Rijken, M
Boel, M
Paw, M
Pimanpanarak, M
Mu, O
Nosten, F
Lee, S
Singhasivanon, P
White, N
Simpson, J
author_facet McGready, R
Wiladphaingern, J
Ashley, E
Rijken, M
Boel, M
Paw, M
Pimanpanarak, M
Mu, O
Nosten, F
Lee, S
Singhasivanon, P
White, N
Simpson, J
author_sort McGready, R
collection OXFORD
description Background: The effects of malaria and its treatment in the first trimester of pregnancy remain an area of concern. We aimed to assess the outcome of malaria-exposed and malaria-unexposed first-trimester pregnancies of women from the Thai-Burmese border and compare outcomes after chloroquine-based, quinine-based, or artemisinin-based treatments. Methods: We analysed all antenatal records of women in the first trimester of pregnancy attending Shoklo Malaria Research Unit antenatal clinics from May 12, 1986, to Oct 31, 2010. Women without malaria in pregnancy were compared with those who had a single episode of malaria in the first trimester. The association between malaria and miscarriage was estimated using multivariable logistic regression. Findings: Of 48 426 pregnant women, 17 613 (36%) met the inclusion criteria: 16 668 (95%) had no malaria during the pregnancy and 945 (5%) had a single episode in the first trimester. The odds of miscarriage increased in women with asymptomatic malaria (adjusted odds ratio 2·70, 95% CI 2·04-3·59) and symptomatic malaria (3·99, 3·10-5·13), and were similar for Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. Other risk factors for miscarriage included smoking, maternal age, previous miscarriage, and non-malaria febrile illness. In women with malaria, additional risk factors for miscarriage included severe or hyperparasitaemic malaria (adjusted odds ratio 3·63, 95% CI 1·15-11·46) and parasitaemia (1·49, 1·25-1·78 for each ten-fold increase in parasitaemia). Higher gestational age at the time of infection was protective (adjusted odds ratio 0·86, 95% CI 0·81-0·91). The risk of miscarriage was similar for women treated with chloroquine (92 [26%] of 354), quinine (95 [27%) of 355), or artesunate (20 [31%] of 64; p=0·71). Adverse effects related to antimalarial treatment were not observed. Interpretation: A single episode of falciparum or vivax malaria in the first trimester of pregnancy can cause miscarriage. No additional toxic effects associated with artesunate treatment occurred in early pregnancy. Prospective studies should now be done to assess the safety and efficacy of artemisinin combination treatments in early pregnancy. Funding: Wellcome Trust and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.
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spelling oxford-uuid:2bfdb7bd-cb08-4c1e-bb02-683b39c6a0422022-03-26T12:34:25ZAdverse effects of falciparum and vivax malaria and the safety of antimalarial treatment in early pregnancy: A population-based studyJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:2bfdb7bd-cb08-4c1e-bb02-683b39c6a042Symplectic Elements at Oxford2012McGready, RWiladphaingern, JAshley, ERijken, MBoel, MPaw, MPimanpanarak, MMu, ONosten, FLee, SSinghasivanon, PWhite, NSimpson, JBackground: The effects of malaria and its treatment in the first trimester of pregnancy remain an area of concern. We aimed to assess the outcome of malaria-exposed and malaria-unexposed first-trimester pregnancies of women from the Thai-Burmese border and compare outcomes after chloroquine-based, quinine-based, or artemisinin-based treatments. Methods: We analysed all antenatal records of women in the first trimester of pregnancy attending Shoklo Malaria Research Unit antenatal clinics from May 12, 1986, to Oct 31, 2010. Women without malaria in pregnancy were compared with those who had a single episode of malaria in the first trimester. The association between malaria and miscarriage was estimated using multivariable logistic regression. Findings: Of 48 426 pregnant women, 17 613 (36%) met the inclusion criteria: 16 668 (95%) had no malaria during the pregnancy and 945 (5%) had a single episode in the first trimester. The odds of miscarriage increased in women with asymptomatic malaria (adjusted odds ratio 2·70, 95% CI 2·04-3·59) and symptomatic malaria (3·99, 3·10-5·13), and were similar for Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. Other risk factors for miscarriage included smoking, maternal age, previous miscarriage, and non-malaria febrile illness. In women with malaria, additional risk factors for miscarriage included severe or hyperparasitaemic malaria (adjusted odds ratio 3·63, 95% CI 1·15-11·46) and parasitaemia (1·49, 1·25-1·78 for each ten-fold increase in parasitaemia). Higher gestational age at the time of infection was protective (adjusted odds ratio 0·86, 95% CI 0·81-0·91). The risk of miscarriage was similar for women treated with chloroquine (92 [26%] of 354), quinine (95 [27%) of 355), or artesunate (20 [31%] of 64; p=0·71). Adverse effects related to antimalarial treatment were not observed. Interpretation: A single episode of falciparum or vivax malaria in the first trimester of pregnancy can cause miscarriage. No additional toxic effects associated with artesunate treatment occurred in early pregnancy. Prospective studies should now be done to assess the safety and efficacy of artemisinin combination treatments in early pregnancy. Funding: Wellcome Trust and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.
spellingShingle McGready, R
Wiladphaingern, J
Ashley, E
Rijken, M
Boel, M
Paw, M
Pimanpanarak, M
Mu, O
Nosten, F
Lee, S
Singhasivanon, P
White, N
Simpson, J
Adverse effects of falciparum and vivax malaria and the safety of antimalarial treatment in early pregnancy: A population-based study
title Adverse effects of falciparum and vivax malaria and the safety of antimalarial treatment in early pregnancy: A population-based study
title_full Adverse effects of falciparum and vivax malaria and the safety of antimalarial treatment in early pregnancy: A population-based study
title_fullStr Adverse effects of falciparum and vivax malaria and the safety of antimalarial treatment in early pregnancy: A population-based study
title_full_unstemmed Adverse effects of falciparum and vivax malaria and the safety of antimalarial treatment in early pregnancy: A population-based study
title_short Adverse effects of falciparum and vivax malaria and the safety of antimalarial treatment in early pregnancy: A population-based study
title_sort adverse effects of falciparum and vivax malaria and the safety of antimalarial treatment in early pregnancy a population based study
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