[Pregnancy and blood parasite indices of Plasmodium falciparum (results of a study in Bangui (Central African Republic))]

Abstract

In Bangui (C.A.R.), a comparative survey about infestation by Plasmodium falciparum was carried out in 250 pregnant women and 250 non-pregnant women. Both groups were matched by age, and none of them had taken any chemoprophylaxis or anti malarial treatment for the month before the survey. Parasitic indices were significantly higher in pregnant women, and higher in primigravidae than multigravidae; the highest malarial indices were noted in the 15/20 age group. On the contrary, no significant differences were found according to the three first months of pregnancy. As a final result of this survey, the authors recommend a regular anti malarial chemoprophylaxis for pregnant women, and particularly for primigravidae, as they all constitute a group at high risk versus malarial infestation and considering the consequential effects on foetus.