By Ana Espino | Published on April 23, 2026 | 4 min readMalaria during pregnancy represents a major public health issue, particularly in endemic areas. This condition poses significant risks for both the mother and the fetus. Infection can lead to severe, even fatal forms, and is notably characterized by the sequestration of the parasite in the placenta, resulting in maternal anemia, intrauterine
By Ana Espino | Published on April 23, 2026 | 4 min read
Malaria during pregnancy
represents a major public health issue, particularly in endemic areas. This
condition poses significant risks for both the mother and the fetus. Infection
can lead to severe, even fatal forms, and is notably characterized by the sequestration
of the parasite in the placenta, resulting in maternal anemia, intrauterine
growth restriction, prematurity, and low birth weight. It is therefore a major
cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.
Despite the existence of
prevention and treatment strategies, several limitations remain. Antimalarial
treatments may be associated with adverse effects, particularly during
pregnancy, and the emergence of resistance—especially to chloroquine in certain
regions—complicates management. In addition, access to preventive interventions
remains unequal, and their effectiveness strongly depends on the local context.
The main challenges lie in the
complexity of managing malaria in pregnant women, regional variability in
prevalence, and the need for tailored interventions to reduce maternal and
neonatal complications. Early detection and prevention remain essential, but
are difficult to implement optimally in certain settings.
The objective of this study,
recently published in Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines,
is to provide an update on current knowledge regarding malaria during
pregnancy, by analyzing its epidemiological impact, complications, and the
prevention and treatment strategies currently available.
What are the risks for the
mother and the baby ?
The study is based on a systematic
review of the literature. A total of 139 studies were included after applying
selection criteria. The analyses focused on epidemiology, complications, and
interventions related to malaria during pregnancy.
The results show that malaria
during pregnancy is strongly influenced by the Plasmodium species, with P.
falciparum being the main cause of complications, particularly in Africa,
while P. vivax predominates in certain regions such as Asia and South
America. Prevalence can reach up to 60% in sub-Saharan Africa, illustrating the
scale of the problem.
The observed complications are
numerous and affect both the mother and the child. In mothers, malaria can
cause severe anemia and increase the risk of mortality. In the fetus and
newborn, it is associated with low birth weight, prematurity, intrauterine growth
restriction, and increased neonatal mortality. Prevention strategies mainly rely
on intermittent preventive treatment, the use of insecticide-treated bed nets,
and prompt case management. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are
essential to limit complications. In severe or complicated cases, artesunate is
recommended as the treatment of choice, particularly in the presence of
resistance to certain antimalarial drugs.
Better protecting two lives at
once
Malaria during pregnancy remains a
serious condition with significant consequences for maternal and neonatal
health. The main challenges involve managing complications, addressing
treatment resistance, and reducing inequalities in access to prevention and
care strategies.
The aim of this study was to
provide an update on this issue. The results confirm that malaria during
pregnancy has a significant impact on morbidity and mortality, and that
appropriate management is essential to reduce its consequences.
However, some limitations remain,
particularly related to the heterogeneity of available data and regional
variations that make it difficult to generalize findings.
About the author – Ana Espino PhD in Immunology, specialized in Virology As a scientific writer, Ana is passionate about bridging the gap between research and real-world impact. With expertise in immunology, virology, oncology, and clinical studies, she makes complex science clear and accessible. Her mission: to accelerate knowledge sharing and empower evidence-based decisions through impactful communication.
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Scientific reference
Minwuyelet A, et al. Current update on malaria in pregnancy: a systematic review. Trop Dis Travel Med Vaccines. 2025 May 22;11(1):14. doi: 10.1186/s40794-025-00248-1. PMID: 40399982; PMCID: PMC12096600.
