Histological analysis of placenta malaria and foetal outcome in a tertiary health facility in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Background: Malaria parasite may become sequestered in the placenta leading to poor foetal outcome. Histological evaluation of the placenta remains the gold standard for making a diagnosis of malaria in pregnancy. Aim: This study sought to determine the prevalence of placenta malaria using histology which is the gold standard and to compare the foetal outcome between affected and unaffected cases. Method: This was a cross-sectional prospective study involving 188 parturient who delivered at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). Placenta blocks were taken following delivery for histological analysis for the presence of malaria parasites. Results: The prevalence of placenta malaria was 48.9%. The mean age of participants was 31.0+4.5 years and ranged from 19-48 years and 147 (78.2%) had tertiary level of education. All participants were married. Placenta malaria was significantly associated with non-use of Intermittent Preventive Therapy (IPT) (p=0-02, OR=2.2) and un-booked status (p=0.04, OR=3.5). However, placenta malaria was not associated with low birth weight, foetal asphyxia and prematurity. Conclusion: Placenta malaria is still highly prevalent among the study population. Non-use of malaria chemoprophylaxis and non-utilization of antenatal care were significantly associated with placenta malaria. Placenta malaria was not associated with poor foetal outcome. Use of malaria chemoprophylaxis and antenatal care may reduce the burden of malaria in pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]