Congenital and neonatal malaria in a rural Kenyan district hospital: an eight-year analysis

ABSTRACT

Malar J

BACKGROUND: Malaria remains a significant burden in sub-Saharan Africa. However, data on burden of congenital and neonatal malaria is scarce and contradictory, with some recent studies reporting a high burden. Using prospectively collected data on neonatal admissions to a rural district hospital in a region of stable malaria endemicity in Kenya, the prevalence of congenital and neonatal malaria was described. METHODS: From 1st January 2002 to 31st December 2009, admission and discharge information on all neonates admitted to Kilifi District Hospital was collected. At admission, blood was also drawn for routine investigations, which included a full blood count, blood culture and blood slide for malaria parasites. RESULTS: Of the 5,114 neonates admitted during the eight-year surveillance period, blood slide for malaria parasites was performed in 4,790 (93.7%). 18 (0.35%) neonates with Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasitaemia, of whom 11 were admitted within the first week of life and thus classified as congenital parasitaemia, were identified. 7/18 (39%) had fever. Parasite densities were low, Mwaniki, M. K., Talbert, A. W., Mturi, F. N., Berkley, J. A., Kager, P., Marsh, K., Newton, C. R.

Pages:313, Volume:9, Edition:11/9/2010, Date,

Link:

Notes:Mwaniki, Michael K|Talbert, Alison W|Mturi, Florence N|Berkley, James A|Kager, Piet|Marsh, Kevin|Newton, Charles R|083579/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom|083744/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom|Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov’t|England|Malaria journal|Malar J. 2010 Nov 6;9:313. doi: 10.1186/1475-2875-9-313.

ISBN: 1475-2875 (Electronic)|1475-2875 (Linking) Permanent ID: 2988044 Accession Number: 21054891

Author Address: Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Box 230, Kilifi, Kenya. mmwaniki@kilifi.kemri-wellcome.org

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