Sickle cell trait, malaria and anaemia in Zambian pregnant women.

IN a sample of 424 Zambian pregnant women a series of tests were made: sickle cell test, haemoglobin and packed cell volume estimations and screening of a thick blood smear for malaria and a thin blood smear for the presence of signs of anaemia. More anaemia was found in the primigravidae than in the multigravidae. The Hb-level was found to be lower with primigravidity and independently of this gravidity effect, also with malaria. Taking into account the higher malaria frequency in primigravidae, this group must be considered as a high risk group for the development of anaemia. The presence of the sickle cell trait was shown to have no effect on anaemia and malaria. In addition to the tests during pregnancy, the placentae and umbilical cords of 155 women were screened for malaria, as were the mothers just before delivery. More malaria parasites were detected in the placenta of the primiparous as compared with the multiparous women. Peripheral parasitaemia was strikingly less prevalent than infestation of the placenta.