The effects of malaria in pregnancy on neurocognitive development in children at 1 and 6 years of age in Benin : a prospective mother-child cohort Garrison, A. Boivin, M. J. /Fievet, Nadine Zoumenou, R. Alao, J. M. Massougbodji, A. /Cot, Michel Bodeau-Livinec, F. child development malaria neurocognition pregnancy sub-Saharan Africa Background Malaria in pregnancy (MiP) contributes significantly to infant mortality rates in sub-Saharan Africa and has consequences on survivors, such as preterm birth and low birth weight. However, its impact on long-term neurocognitive development in children remains unknown. Methods Our prospective cohort included pregnant women and their live-born singletons from the Malaria in Pregnancy Preventive Alternative Drugs clinical trial. MiP was assessed using microscopy and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Neurocognitive development in children was assessed using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning and the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, 2nd edition (KABC-II), at 1 and 6 years of age, respectively. Results Of 493 pregnant women, 196 (40%) were infected with malaria at least once: 121 (31%) with placental malaria diagnosed by qPCR. Multiple linear regression B-coefficients showed that impaired gross motor scores were associated with MiP at least once (-2.55; confidence interval [95% CI]: -5.15, 0.05), placental malaria by qPCR (-4.95; 95% CI: -7.65, -2.24), and high parasite density at delivery (-1.92; 95% CI: -3.86, 0.02) after adjustment. Malaria and high parasite density at the second antenatal care visit were associated with lower KABC-II Non-Verbal Index scores at 6 years (-2.57 [95% CI: -4.86, -0.28] and -1.91 [-3.51, -0.32]), respectively. Conclusions This prospective cohort study provides evidence that MiP, particularly late term, could have important negative consequences on child development at 1 and 6 years of age. Mechanisms behind this association must be further investigated and diagnostic methods in low-income countries should be strengthened to provide adequate treatment. This paper provides the first evidence of an association between late-term peripheral and placental malaria in pregnancy and impaired neurocognitive development in offspring at 1 and 6 years of age in Benin, sub-Saharan Africa. 2022 text https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010084293 fdi:010084293 Garrison A., Boivin M. J., Fievet Nadine, Zoumenou R., Alao J. M., Massougbodji A., Cot Michel, Bodeau-Livinec F.. The effects of malaria in pregnancy on neurocognitive development in children at 1 and 6 years of age in Benin : a prospective mother-child cohort. 2022, 74 (5), 766-775 EN BENIN AFRIQUE SUBSAHARIENNE