Congenital malaria

Congenital malaria is defined as presence of Plasmodium parasites in the erythrocytes of newborns aged less than seven days’, is an important consequence of malaria in pregnancy. Clinically apparent congenital malaria is rare in areas in which malaria is endemic and levels of maternal antibody are high.

The most common clinical features of congenital malaria are fever, anaemia and splenomegaly. Other signs and symptoms include hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice, regurgitation, loose stools, and poor feeding.