Pathology of Plasmodium

1. Infectious diseases with
pregnancy

2. Malaria during pregnancy
Malaria during pregnancy tends to be very severe as it causes problems
to both the fetus and the mother.
To the mother it can cause : Chronic anemia to the point where it can
cause death, postpartum hemorrhage
To the infant it can cause: Miscarriage, preterm labour, low birth
weight, IUGR and IUFD

3. Cause
• This is due to the sequestration of the parasite in the placenta

4. Diagnosis
• Thick and thin blood films or the use of rapid diagnostic test.
• The presence of clinical signs and symptoms of malaria is also
diagnostic. Signs: Jaundice, fever, splenomegaly and respiratory
distress. Symptoms: fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea and cough.

5. Treatment
• The treatment depends on the trimester.
• In the first trimester, Quinine can be given orally or by IV infusion.
• In the second and third, first line drug is Quartum which is artemether
and lumefantrine and the Quinine is usually as a second line.