Pregnancy complications in Venezuelan women with malaria

BackgroundPregnant women are particularly vulnerable to malaria infections, increasing the risk of maternal-foetal complications, mainly in areas of high endemicity. However, few studies of malaria in pregnancy (MiP) have been carried out in Latin America, a region with low endemicity and transmission of both, Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax. Despite the high malaria burden in Venezuela in the last years, no recent studies of MiP have been conducted. Hence, epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pregnant women with malaria in Venezuela are described herein.MethodsA retrospective study in pregnant women attending to the “Ruíz y Páez” University Hospital Complex, Bolívar state, Venezuela between February and October, 2019 was carried out. Epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory information was analysed.ResultsThirty-seven out of 52 pregnant women analysed, were infected with P. vivax. Age ranged between 15 and 39 years, and adolescent pregnancies were common. Malaria infection was diagnosed mainly during the third trimester of pregnancy (63.4%). The distribution of symptoms and signs as well as clinical laboratory values was similar among Plasmodium spp. Although uncomplicated malaria was most frequent, 30% (13/52) had severe anaemia. A high proportion of studied women (44%) presented at least one complication during the pregnancy or delivery. Spontaneous abortion was recorded in four women, and three foetal deaths were observed. Six women had preterm delivery without any further complication.ConclusionsA high prevalence of maternal and foetal complications was found in the studied population, highlighting the requirement for a careful medical follow up during the prenatal check-ups, aimed to reduce the negative impact of malaria in the new-born and mother.