Spectrum of Vivax Malaria in Pregnancy and Its Outcome: A Hospital-Based Study (Report‪)‬

It has been recognized for nearly a century that pregnant women are especially prone to severe malaria. Studies from various countries of Asia regarding impact of unstable malaria in pregnant women have shown it to be an important cause of maternal death (1,2), but in India only a limited number of hospital-based studies have been carried out regarding the consequences of malaria infection in pregnant women (3-5). Considering the severity of the problem, we planned to undertake an in-depth prospective study on impact of Plasmodium vivax malaria in pregnancy and its outcome in comparison to non-pregnant female patients residing in the same environment and community. These observations are of immense clinical significance and are essential for the theme presented in implementation of global malaria control programme. This study was conducted on pregnant and non-pregnant female patients suffering from P. vivax malaria (confirmed by demonstration of asexual phase of parasite in peripheral blood smear) admitted in classified malaria wards of PBM Hospital, Bikaner (Rajasthan), India during 2006-08. Smear positive cases of only P. vivax infection were included in the study. Rapid card test for malaria (OptiMal test) was also performed in every case. Patients with P. falciparum infection were not included in the study. Thorough clinical and biochemical examinations were done in all patients, which included complete blood counts, liver function tests, blood urea, serum creatinine and urine analysis. Other investigations like widal test, blood culture, Australia Antigen (HBsAg) (Positive HBsAg cases were not included) and brucella antibody titre were performed to rule out other causes of fever (1). Fundus and CSF examinations were done in patients of suspected cerebral malaria.