Fetomaternal Outcomes among Pregnant Females Suffering from Malaria, A Study from Interior Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Malaria during pregnancy has the potential to harm the fetus and change fetal immunity, raising the risk of malaria infection at a younger age. Because malaria is common in Pakistan, it is critical to determine the fetomaternal consequences of malaria during pregnancy in order to develop strategies and treatment plans to attenuate negative malaria outcomes and lower overall baby and mother morbidity rates. Objective: To determine fetomaternal outcomes among pregnant females presenting with malaria. Study type, settings & duration: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Talluka Hospital, Kashmore from December 2019 to December 2020. Methodology: All the pregnant females admitted in the labour room or antenatal ward diagnosed as having malaria were included in the study. Fetomaternal outcomes such as preterm labour, anaemia at delivery, hypocalcaemia, low birth weight, low Apgar score, prematurity and perinatal death were noted. Data was entered and analysed in SPSS version 23. Results: The most common maternal and fetal outcome were post-delivery anaemia (40.9%) and low birth weight (23.2%) respectively. Fetomaternal outcomes were stratified with effect modifiers. Age showed significant association with preterm labor, anemia, low birth weight (LBW), prematurity and perinatal death (p ≤0.05). Number of children showed significant association with preterm labor, anemia, LBW, prematurity and perinatal death (p ≤0.05). Socio-economic status showed significant association with preterm labor and prematurity (p ≤0.05). Education status and socioeconomic status of pregnant female showed statistically significant association with perinatal death (p ≤0.05). Malarial prophylaxis showed statistically significant ........

Keywords

• Fetal outcomes
• maternal outcomes
• malaria
• pregnancy