Garrison A. auteur aut IRD Boivin M. J. auteur aut IRD Fievet Nadine auteur aut IRD Zoumenou R. auteur aut IRD Alao J. M. auteur aut IRD Massougbodji A. auteur aut IRD Cot Michel auteur aut IRD Bodeau-Livinec F. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf reformatted digital access 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. specialized child development malaria neurocognition pregnancy sub-Saharan Africa BENIN AFRIQUE SUBSAHARIENNE 050 052 74 5 766-775 2022 1058-4838 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010084293 10.1093/cid/ciab569 1058-4838 [F B010084293] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010084293 https://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/2022-04/010084293.pdf IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2022-04-06 2025-02-24 fdi:010084293 fre