Malaria infection during pregnancy can have adverse effects on both mother and child. It increases a child’s vulnerability to other diseases and causes growth and development to be stunted in the short term. It is connected with a significant economic impact, including a direct loss of productive government labor or educational opportunities. An increased incidence of anaemia, spontaneous abortions, premature labor, fetal distress, congenital infections, fetal death in utero, stillbirths, and intrauterine growth restriction has been linked to malaria exposure during pregnancy.

Most often, Pregnant women stand at  higher risk of developing severe and complex malaria than other people. Despite the availability of effective therapies, malaria remains a serious public health problem, and it is responsible for a significant proportion of childhood and maternal death. This is because children have undeveloped and weaker immune systems.

Pregnant women who, because of poverty or a lack of education, do not seek antenatal care and do not have access to preventive malaria treatment may have issues when the disease progressed to an advanced stage. This may result in abortion, stillbirth, early delivery, low birth weight kids, or a high rate of mortality in pregnant women as a result of the situation.

For pregnant women in areas of stable transmission of malaria, World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended a three-pronged approach to controlling and combating malaria. They include; intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) of asymptomatic pregnant women, the use of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs), as well as prompt and effective case management of malaria.

It is critical for pregnant women to avoid malaria during their pregnancy in order to avoid serious consequences. Pregnant women are delicate, and maintaining their health is essential.

For more information regarding Maternal health visit our website, at hacey.org.

Written By:

Michael Adegboye

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Follow the guidance on staying alert and safe (social distancing) and avoid anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus. If in your third trimester (more than 28 weeks pregnant), you should be particularly attentive to social distancing.

What should I do if I develop symptoms of coronavirus while pregnant?

If you show symptoms and suspect you may have contacted COVID-19, inform your doctor or midwife immediately that you have the symptoms. If symptoms are getting worse, this may be a sign that you are developing a more severe infection and require urgent care.

What effect will coronavirus have on my baby if I am diagnosed with the infection?

If you have the virus, it is unlikely to cause problems with your baby’s development, there is also no evidence yet to show that coronavirus infection in early pregnancy leads to miscarriage.

Transmission of the coronavirus from a woman to her baby during pregnancy or childbirth is not common. To date, the virus has not been found in breastmilk nor the water surrounding the baby in the womb.

Can I touch and hold my newborn baby if I have COVID-19 symptoms?

Yes. Close contact and early, exclusive breastfeeding helps a baby to grow. You should wash your hands before and after touching your baby and keep all surfaces clean. You should always wear a medical mask, during any contact with the baby.

After delivery, should a baby be immediately placed skin-to-skin and breastfed if the mother is confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19?

Yes. Immediate and continued skin-to-skin care should be encouraged, this will help balance the baby’s temperature. Skin-to-skin also helps the mother and child to bond better, and encourage early breastfeeding which also reduces mortality.

Mothers should stay safe by taking simple preventive measures such as avoiding crowded places, close contact with people, regular washing of hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub, coughing into bent elbow or tissue and disposing of the tissue immediately.

For more information on COVID-19, check here and here.

Written by Tomiyin Ayibiowu.

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