The Prevalence of Congenital Malaria in Secondary and Tertiary Health Care Facilities in Uyo Nigeria

Across-sectional study of congenital malaria was carried out at two different hospitals within Uyo metropolis; St Luke’s Hospital, Anua and University of Uyo teaching Hospital, Uyo. A total number of 218 blood samples were collected from the mothers and their new born babies and examined microscopically for malaria parasite using both thick and thin films. The prevalence rate of congenital malaria obtained in this study was 12.8%. The prevalence of placental, cord and maternal parasitaemia were 11.5% 12.4% and 3.7%, respectively. Maternal genotypes were determined and it was observed that mothers with haemoglobin AAshowed a higher rate of parasitaemia than AS. Plasmodium falciparium was the only species encountered in this study. Malaria parasitaemia did not seem to have affected the faetal weight of the babies. A comparative analysis of the relationship between congenital malaria and maternal, cord blood and placental parasitaemia as obtained from this study, shows that placental parasitaemia had the highest prevalence (32.1%) of congenital malaria (p>0.05) in Uyo. The use of intermittent prevention therapy prompt management of cases and insecticide treated nets should be emphasized for all pregnant women.