The results of a prospective cohort study show that malaria during pregnancy can have negative effects on the development of the child, as assessed at the ages of 1 and 6 years.
Malaria during pregnancy contributes significantly to infant mortality in sub-Saharan Africa and also has consequences for survivors, such as premature birth and low birth weight. However, the long-term impact on neurocognitive development is still largely unknown and was the subject of this prospective study. The researchers included pregnant women (and their children) who participated in the Malaria in Pregnancy Preventive Alternative Drugs study. Malaria during pregnancy was assessed using microscopy and RT-qPCR. Neurocognitive development in children was assessed using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning and the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (KABC-II), when they were 1 and 6 years old, respectively.
Of the 493 pregnant women, 196 (40%) had been infected with malaria at least once: in 121 women (31%) placental malaria was detected by qPCR. Decreased gross motor scores were associated with malaria during pregnancy (-2.55; 95% CI -5.15 to 0.05), placental malaria (-4.95; 95% CI -7.65 to – 2.24) and a high parasite density at delivery (-1.92; 95% CI: -3.86 to 0.02) after adjustment for risk factors. Malaria and high parasite density at the second prenatal visit were associated with lower KABC-II Non-Verbal Index scores at 6 years of age (-2.57; 95% CI -4.86 to -0.28 and -1.91, 95% CI -3.51 to -0.32).
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