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Malaria in pregnancy

Description

Malaria is an infectious disease that occurs due to bite of a parasite, female anopheles mosquito. Malaria in pregnancy is a syndrome that occurs only in pregnant females. It is characterized by accumulation of infected blood cells in the placenta. It can be life threatening for both mother and baby.

Causes

It is caused by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. There are various species of malarial parasite amongst which most common is plasmodium vivax.

Risk factors

Following are the risk factors for malaria:

  • Visit to an endemic area,
  • Immigrants returning to an endemic area as they have lost their partial immunity due to constant exposure.
  • Rainy season
Symptoms

Symptoms of malaria include:

  • Fever,
  • Chills,
  • Myalgia,
  • Malaise,
  • Headache,
  • Seizures,
  • Respiratory problems etc.
Diagnosis

Early signs of fever, chills, seizures or respiratory problems in pregnant females who recently travelled to or from an endemic region is suspected for malaria. For definite diagnosis blood smear test is carried out. If the test comes out negative it should be repeated every 12-24 hours.

Management

Firstly preventive measures should be taken such as pregnant women should avoid visit to an endemic area, if it is necessary to visit then insect repellent, full length clothes and bed nets should be used and chemoprophylaxis should be prescribed.

If a pregnant woman becomes infected following treatment should be carried out:

  • Oral quinine and clindamycin in first trimester,
  • Artemisinin combination therapy in 2nd and 3rd trimester,
  • IV antimalarials for severe cases,
  • Primaquine should be given after postpartum.
When to consult a doctor?

Consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of the above mentioned symptoms after visiting to or from an endemic region.

Available Medicine for Malaria in pregnancy

Artepip 40mg/320mg

Rs.352

Helix Pharma

Artequine 40mg/320mg

Rs.78.75

Platinum

Artequine 15mg/120mg

Rs.39.38

Platinum

Dimisinex 40mg/320mg

Rs.380

Nexus

Diphos 15mg/120mg

Rs.48.17

Genix

Diphos 40mg/320mg

Rs.556

Genix

Dipip 40mg/320mg

Rs.539.44

Hilton

Dipip 15mg/120mg

Rs.33.69

Hilton

Paraquin 40mg/320mg

Rs.380

Genome Pharma

Peprohyd 15mg/120mg

Rs.23.75

Metro

Peproxin 15mg/120mg

Rs.23.75

ACE

Timequin 40mg/320mg

Rs.80

Sami

Timequin 15mg/120mg

Rs.35

Sami