Hypoglycaemia and severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria among pregnant Sudanese women in an area characterized by unstable malaria transmission.

BACKGROUND

Pregnant women are more susceptible to severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria, which can lead to poor maternal and fetal outcomes. Few data exist on the epidemiology of severe P. falciparum malaria in pregnant women.A hospital-based study was carried out to assess the pattern of severe P. falciparum malaria among pregnant women at the Kassala and Medani maternity hospitals, which are located in areas of unstable malaria transmission, in eastern and central Sudan, respectively. Pre-tested questionnaires were used to gather socio-demographic, clinical and obstetrical data. Suitable tests were performed for clinical and biochemical investigations.

RESULTS

Among 222 pregnant women diagnosed with malaria at the two hospitals, 40 (18.0%) women at mean (SD) gestational age of 29.3 (6.7) weeks fulfilled one or more of the WHO criteria for severe P. falciparum malaria. These were hypoglycaemia (14; 35.5%), severe anaemia (12; 30%), hypotension (10; 25%), jaundice (9; 22.5%), cerebral malaria (6; 15%), repeated convulsions (4; 10%), hyperparasitaemia (4; 10.0%) and more than one manifestation (9; 22.5%). While the mean (SD) presenting temperature was significantly lower for women presenting with hypoglycaemia [38.2(0.6) versus 38.8(0.7) °C, P = 0.04], other clinical and biochemical characteristics were not significantly different among women with different manifestations of severe P. falciparum malaria.

CONCLUSION

Preventive measures for pregnant women such as insecticide-treated bednets and chemoprophylaxis may be beneficial in areas of unstable malaria transmission. Early detection and prompt treatment of severe malaria, especially in pregnant women with hypoglycaemia, are needed.