Malaria during Pregnancy: Risks and Prevention Strategies for Expectant Mothers

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Malaria during Pregnancy: Risks and Prevention Strategies for Expectant Mothers

When a female mosquito carrying the parasite bites a human, it spreads the potentially fatal disease known as malaria. Malaria during pregnancy is a significant public health problem, particularly in areas with high transmission rates. This blog discusses malaria risks for pregnant women and their unborn children and the best practices for preventing and treating malaria during pregnancy.

Risks of Malaria during Pregnancy

Malaria during pregnancy poses significant risks to the mother and the unborn child. Due to changes in their immune systems, which might increase their susceptibility to infection, pregnant women are more sensitive to malaria.

Here are some of the risks of malaria during pregnancy:

  • Maternal Anemia: Malaria can cause maternal anemia in which there is a low red blood cell count in the mother’s bloodstream. Anaemia can lead to fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. Severe anemia can increase the risk of bleeding during childbirth.
  • Low birth weight: Malaria during pregnancy can lead to low birth weight, a major risk factor for infant mortality. Infants with low birth weight are more susceptible to respiratory distress syndrome, infections, and hypoglycemia.
  • Preterm delivery: Malaria during pregnancy can increase the risk of preterm delivery, which is the delivery before 37 weeks of gestation. Preterm babies are at increased risk of respiratory distress syndrome, feeding difficulties, and infections.
  • Stillbirth and Neonatal Death: Malaria during pregnancy can lead to stillbirth, which is the delivery of a baby without signs of life after 28 weeks of gestation. It can also increase the risk of neonatal death, which is the death of a baby within the first 28 days of life.

Preventing Malaria during Pregnancy

Preventing malaria during pregnancy is essential for the mother and the unborn child. Here are some best practices for preventing malaria during pregnancy:

Use Insecticide-treated bed nets

To lessen their chance of being bitten by mosquitoes that spread malaria, pregnant women should sleep under a bed net coated with an insecticide every night. Bed nets can be obtained through local health clinics and non-governmental organizations or purchased at local stores.

Wear long-sleeved clothing and pants

To lessen the amount of exposed skin that mosquitoes can bite, pregnant women should wear long sleeves and pants.

Use insect repellent

To lower their chance of getting bitten by mosquitoes, pregnant women can wear insect repellent on their skin and clothing. Apply insect repellent per the manufacturer’s directions and ensure it contains DEET, picaridin, or IR3535.

Avoid outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours

Pregnant women should avoid outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours, typically from dusk to dawn.

Keep the surrounding environment clean

Pregnant women should ensure their environment is clean by removing standing water around their homes, as it is a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

By following these preventive measures, pregnant women can significantly reduce their risk of contracting malaria and protect the health of their unborn children.

Treating Malaria during Pregnancy

For both the mother and the unborn child’s health and to avoid complications, malaria during pregnancy must be treated quickly and effectively. Here are some best practices for treating malaria during pregnancy:

  • Seek medical attention immediately: Women who are pregnant and have malaria symptoms, such as fever, chills, and body aches, should get help very away.
  • Antimalarial medication: The choice of antimalarial medication and the treatment duration depends on the pregnancy stage, the infection’s severity, and the type of malaria parasite present. Some antimalarial medications, such as primaquine and tetracycline, are contraindicated during pregnancy, so it’s essential to consult a specialist before taking any medication.

“If you are pregnant and experience symptoms of malaria or reside in an area with a high risk of malaria transmission, we recommend consulting your healthcare provider for a personalized prevention and treatment plan. For those in the Sonipat region, consider reaching out to Crossroads Multispeciality Hospital in SonipatHaryana, a trusted healthcare center known for its expertise in malaria treatments and maternal care. They can assist you in developing a tailored plan to ensure the well-being of both you and your unborn child.”