Congenital malaria due to Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum in a neonate

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Saha, Sudip | Dutta, Kalpana | Panja, Swagata | Lahiri, Gautam

Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Chittaranjan Seva Sadan, Kolkata, India

Note: [] Correspondence: Sudip Saha, MD, Kashiniket Flat 3A 190 C, Manicktala Main Road Kakurgachi, Kolkata 700054, India. Tel.: +91 03323649993; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Congenital malaria can be acquired by transmission of parasite from mother to child during pregnancy or perinatally during labor. Placental barrier and maternal immunoglobulin G antibodies, which cross the placenta, may protect the fetus to some extent. However, it is much more common in non-immune population and the incidence goes up during epidemics of malaria. We report a rare case of congenital malaria due to mixed species in a neonate who presented with fever, pallor and hepatosplenomegaly.

Keywords: Congenital malaria, neonate, mixed species

DOI: 10.3233/JPI-2009-0183

Journal: Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 421-423, 2009