The impact of placental malaria on gestational age and birth weight

Maternal malaria is associated with reduced birth weight, which is thought to be effected through placental insufficiency, which leads to intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), The impact of malaria on preterm delivery is un clear. The effects of placental malaria-related changes on birth weight and gestational age were studied in 1177 mothers (and their newborns) from Tan zania, Evidence of malaria infection was found in 75.5% of placental sample s. Only massive mononuclear intervillous inflammatory infiltration (MMI) wa s associated with increased risk of low birth weight (odds ratio [OR], 4.0) , Maternal parasitized red blood cells and perivillous fibrin deposition bo th were associated independently with increased risk of premature delivery (OR, 3.2; OR, 2.1, respectively). MMI is an important mechanism in the path ogenesis of IUGR in malaria-infected placentas, This study also shows that placental malaria causes prematurity even in high-transmission areas. The i mpact of maternal malaria on infant mortality may be greater than was thoug ht previously.