Malaria During Pregnancy

Author: Menendez, C.

Source: Current Molecular Medicine, Volume 6, Number 2, March 2006 , pp. 269-273(5)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

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Abstract:

Each year approximately 50 million women living in malaria endemic areas become pregnant and are at risk of the adverse health impact of malaria. Approximately half of them live in sub-Saharan Africa and most of them in areas of intense falciparum transmission. The increased susceptibility to malaria of pregnant women has long been recognized. Although some progress has been accomplished in recent years, resulting in the identification of intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp) and insecticide treated nets (ITNs) as key strategies to control malaria in pregnancy in Africa, much work needs to be done to control malaria effectively in this high at risk group. There are still many gaps in knowledge that need to be addressed: from the biological mechanism (s) that explains the increased susceptibility during pregnancy, the most effective control measures in different transmission areas and the best drugs for case management.

Keywords: Pregnancy; falciparum; intermittent preventive treatment; low birth weight; placenta

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156652406776055186

Affiliations: 1: Center for International Health, Hospital Clinic/IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Spain.

Publication date: 2006-03-01

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Current Molecular Medicine is an interdisciplinary journal focused on providing the readership with current and comprehensive reviews on fundamental molecular mechanisms of disease pathogenesis, the development of molecular-diagnosis and/or novel approaches to rational treatment. The reviews should be of significant interest to basic researchers and clinical investigators in molecular medicine. Periodically the journal will invite guest editors to devote an issue on a basic research area that shows promise to advance our understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) of a disease or has potential for clinical applications.