Le Hesran Jean-Yves, Cot Michel, Personne P., Fievet Nadine, Dubois B., Beyemé M., Boudin Christian, Deloron Philippe. (1997). Maternal placental infection with Plasmodium falciparum and malaria morbidity during the first 2 years of life. American Journal of Epidemiology, 146 (10), p. 826-831. ISSN 0002-9262.
Titre du document
Maternal placental infection with Plasmodium falciparum and malaria morbidity during the first 2 years of life
Année de publication
1997
Type de document
Article
Auteurs
Le Hesran Jean-Yves, Cot Michel, Personne P., Fievet Nadine, Dubois B., Beyemé M., Boudin Christian, Deloron Philippe
Source
American Journal of Epidemiology, 1997,
146 (10), p. 826-831 ISSN 0002-9262
In areas endemic for malaria, pregnant women frequently present with a placenta that has been parasitized by Plasmodium falciparum, an infection associated with a reduction in the birth weight of the offspring. However, the impact of placental infection on malaria-related morbidity during the infant's first year of life has not been investigated. Between 1993 and 1995, 197 children in southern Cameroon were followed weekly clinically and monthly parasitologically. The dates of first positive blood smear and the evolution of the parasite prevalence rates were compared between infants born to mothers presenting with (n = 42) and without (n = 155) P. falciparum infection of the placenta. Infants born to placenta-infected mothers were more likely to develop a malaria infection between 4 and 6 months of age; then the difference progressively disappeared. Similarly, parasite prevalence rates were higher in placenta-infected infants from 5 to 8 months of age. Thus, malarial infection of the placenta seems to result in a higher susceptibility of infants to the parasite. This was not related to maternally transmitted antibodies, as specific antibody levels were similar in both groups of infants. A better understanding of the involved mechanisms may have important implications for the development of malaria control strategies. (Résumé d'auteur)
Plan de classement
Epidémiologie du paludisme [052ANOPAL03]
Descripteurs
PALUDISME ; TRANSMISSION ; NOUVEAU NE ; NOURRISSON ; MORTALITE INFANTILE ; PLACENTA
