Comparative Study of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax Malaria in Pregnant and Non Pregnant Women in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

Background: Pregnant women have a higher risk of malaria compared to non-pregnant women. It’s associated with considerable maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in developing countries like India. Prevalence of malaria in pregnancy and non pregnant are ranging from 1.7 % to 20 % across India. The Slide Positivity Rate (SPR) for malaria parasite was 17 % for antenatal women in contrast to 8 % among febrile non-pregnant women. Aim: The present study is to compare the clinical features, severity, complications, treatment and outcome of Falciparum/vivax malaria in pregnant and non pregnant women. Methods: Pregnant and non Pregnant women who tested positive for malaria either by microscopy of peripheral blood smear or a quantitative buffy coat (QBC) testeach 100 were enrolled in the study. They were followed up till their delivery and discharge from hospital. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data was collected at enrolment, on event of complication and at delivery. Results: Malaria more common in primi gravida (64 %) and common in second trimester (68 %). Plasmodium falciparum most common causative agent in 60 (60 %) pregnant women and Plasmodium vivax is most common causative agent in 56 (56 %) non-pregnantwomen. Falciparum malaria are more common in primi gravida 40 % than Vivax malaria(16 %). Complications are more common in pregnancy (64 %) group and anemia was commonest complications in both groups. Low Birth weight(LBW) was observed in 46 %. Mortality is higher in pregnant women group (10 %). Conclusion: Malaria andi t’s Complications were more common in pregnant women than non-pregnant. It’s more common in primi gravida and in second trimester. Most common causative agent was Plasmodium falciparum in pregnant women and Plasmodiumvivax in non-pregnant women.