Malaria and pregnancy: what are the risks?

If pregnant women can be infected with all plasmodium parasitic species that are the source of malaria in humans, it would seem that they have an increased susceptibility to two species: p.Falciparum (present in Africa especially, America and Asia Forestières), with a risk of serious malaria access, and p.Vivax (in Asia, America, East Africa).It is shown that the female anopheles, mosquitoes vector of malaria, prefer to prick pregnant women.

This preference is not without consequence, as explained by Professor Camus who publishes the recommendations for travelers in terms of prevention against malaria for the Institut Pasteur de Lille."Maternal malaria at P.Falciparum, and more rarely at P.Vivax, can be responsible for low birth weight in the newborn.Infection can also lead to miscarriage, or lead to premature delivery ".The doctor stresses that women piqued during their pregnancy could present the first symptoms of malaria infection up to three months after their return from the tropical country, against eight to twenty days for children and adults, including women nospeakers.

What chemoprophylaxis of malaria in pregnant women?

In the same way as the rest of the population, pregnant or breastfeeding women must comply with certain practical malaria prevention recommendations.The taking of a preventive medication must however be done with caution.

Atovaquone/Proguanil antimalarial (generic malarone) is often preferred, because it can be used both during pregnancy and breastfeeding if the breastfed child weighs at least 5kg.

Which repellent to choose?

The so -called "mechanical" prevention measures are the same as for the rest of the population: wearing long and large clothes, starting the air conditioning at night, sleeping under an impregnated mosquito net, eliminating residual water bodies.

Only the use of skin repellents is at risk, which is why the health authorities publish the list of products that can be applied to the skin of a pregnant or breastfeeding woman.On this list (resulting from “health recommendations for travelers 2019”, page 49), it should be remembered that only the deet concentrated at 10 or 50 % maximum, the IR3535 concentrated at 20 % maximum and the KBR3023 concentrated at 20 % maximumcan be used in pregnant women.

For these products, three daily applications are sufficient and recommended.

Remember that pregnant women can make a journey to the tropics, but that this period of life must redouble their vigilance and ask a lot of attention.