MATERNAL PLACENTAL INFECTION WITH PLASMODIUM-FALCIPARUM AND MALARIA MORBIDITY DURING THE FIRST 2 YEARS OF LIFE

In areas endemic for malaria, pregnant women frequently present with a placenta that has been parasitized by Plasmodium falciparum, an infec tion associated with a reduction in the birth weight of the offspring, However, the impact of placental infection on malaria-related morbidi ty during the infant's first years of life has not been investigated, Between 1993 and 1995, 197 children in southern Cameroon were followed weekly clinically and monthly parasitologically, The dates of first p ositive blood smear and the evolution of the parasite prevalence rates were compared between infants born to mothers presenting with (n = 42 ) and without (n = 155) P. falciparum infection of the placenta. Infan ts born to placenta-infected mothers were more likely to develop a mal aria infection between 4 and 6 months of age; then the difference prog ressively disappeared, Similarly, parasite prevalence rates were highe r in placenta-infected infants from 5 to 8 months of age. Thus, malari al infection of the placenta seems to result in a higher susceptibilit y of infants to the parasite. This was not related to maternally trans mitted antibodies, as specific antibody levels were similar in both gr oups of infants. A better understanding of the involved mechanisms may have important implications for the development of malaria control st rategies.