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. 2011 Sep 7:10:258.
doi: 10.1186/1475-2875-10-258.

Malaria and pre-eclampsia in an area with unstable malaria transmission in Central Sudan

Ishag Adam  1 , Elhassan M Elhassan, Ahmed A Mohmmed, Magdi M Salih, Mustafa I Elbashir
Affiliations

Malaria and pre-eclampsia in an area with unstable malaria transmission in Central Sudan

Ishag Adam et al. Malar J. .

Abstract

Background: Placental malaria and pre-eclampsia occur frequently in women in tropics and are leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidities and mortality. Few data exist concerning the interaction between placental malaria and pre-eclampsia.

Methods: A case control study was conducted in Medani Hospital, which locates in an area of unstable malaria transmission in Central Sudan. Case (N = 143) were women with pre-eclampsia, which was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mm Hg and proteinuria. Controls were parturient women (N = 143) without any blood pressure values > 139/89 mm Hg or proteinuria. Obstetrical and medical characteristics were gathered from both groups through structured questionnaires. Placental histopathology examinations for malaria were performed.

Results: Twenty-eight (19.6%) vs. 16 (11.2%); P = 0.04 of the cases vs. controls, had placental malaria infections. Five (2%), 1 (2%) and 22 (28.0%) vs. 1, 2 and 13 of the placentae showed acute, chronic and past infection on histopathology examination in the two groups respectively, while 115 (80.4%) vs.127 (88.8%) of them showed no infection, P = 0.04. In multivariate analysis, while there were no associations between age, parity, educational level, lack of antenatal care, blood groups and body mass index and pre-eclampsia; family history of hypertension and placental malaria (OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.0-5.2; P = 0.04) were significantly associated with pre-eclampsia.

Conclusion: Placental malaria was associated with pre-eclampsia. Further research is needed.

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