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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
immunology and microbiology
Microscopic and sub-microscopic Plasmodium falciparum infection, but not inflammation caused by infection, is associated with low birth weight
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Volume 75, No. 5, Year 2006
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Description
Pregnancy-associated malaria is one of the leading causes of low birth weight in malaria endemic areas. In this study, 145 parturient women residing in areas endemic for Plasmodium falciparum in Lambaréné, Gabon, were recruited into the study after delivery, and the association of maternal P. falciparum infection, inflammatory response, and birth weight was studied. At delivery, 10% (15) of the mothers (12 were positive in both peripheral and placental blood smears, 1 was positive in peripheral blood only, and 2 were positive in placenta blood only) were positive for P. falciparum by microscopy and 23% (30) by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The level of C-reactive protein (CRP) was significantly elevated in microscopically P. falciparum-positive pregnant women (34 mg/L; 95% CI: 3-458) but not in those with sub-microscopic infections (6 mg/L; 95% CI: 1-40) compared with those free of P. falciparum infection (7 mg/L; 95% CI: 1-43). In a multivariate analysis, the presence of microscopic (adjusted OR = 28.6, 95% CI = 4.8-169.0) or sub-microscopic (adjusted OR = 13.2, 95% CI = 2.4-73.0) P. falciparum infection in pregnant women and age of mothers < 21 years (adjusted OR = 9.7 CI = 1.0-89.7), but not CRP levels, were independent predictors for low birth weight. This finding may have important operational implications and emphasizes the need for appropriate diagnostic methods in studies evaluating the outcome of pregnancy-associated malaria. Copyright © 2006 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
Authors & Co-Authors
Adégnika, Ayôla Akim
Netherlands, Leiden
Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum
Gabon, Lambarene
Unité de Recherche Médicale, Albert Schweitzer Hospital
Germany, Tubingen
Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
Verweij, Jaco J.
Netherlands, Leiden
Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum
Agnandji, Sélidji Todagbe M.
Gabon, Lambarene
Unité de Recherche Médicale, Albert Schweitzer Hospital
Germany, Tubingen
Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
Chai, Sanders K.
Gabon, Lambarene
Unité de Recherche Médicale, Albert Schweitzer Hospital
Breitling, Lutz Ph
Gabon, Lambarene
Unité de Recherche Médicale, Albert Schweitzer Hospital
United Kingdom, Leeds
University of Leeds
Ramharter, Michael
Gabon, Lambarene
Unité de Recherche Médicale, Albert Schweitzer Hospital
Germany, Tubingen
Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
Frölich, Marijke
Netherlands, Leiden
Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum
Issifou, Saadou
Gabon, Lambarene
Unité de Recherche Médicale, Albert Schweitzer Hospital
Germany, Tubingen
Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
Kremsner, Peter G.
Gabon, Lambarene
Unité de Recherche Médicale, Albert Schweitzer Hospital
Germany, Tubingen
Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
Yazdanbakhsh, Maria M.
Netherlands, Leiden
Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum
Gabon, Lambarene
Unité de Recherche Médicale, Albert Schweitzer Hospital
Statistics
Citations: 108
Authors: 10
Affiliations: 4
Identifiers
Doi:
10.4269/ajtmh.2006.75.798
ISSN:
00029637
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Infectious Diseases
Maternal And Child Health
Sexual And Reproductive Health
Study Locations
Gabon
Participants Gender
Female