Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
Maternal malaria is associated with up to 200,000 infant deaths every year in Kenya.
Approximately half of the worlds population is at risk of malaria . In the absence of a vaccine , vector control is the only practical approach to control malaria.
As we commemorate World Malaria Day , let’s learn how to protect expectant mothers and children under age of 5 from the killer disease.
Malaria infection during pregnancy increases the chance for serious health problems for both a pregnant woman and her baby, especially if the woman has never had malaria before and this is her first pregnancy.
Having malaria during pregnancy can cause a higher chance for miscarriage, premature birth (birth before week 37), stillbirth, and growth problems in the baby.
Symptoms of malaria in the mother, such as fever, low oxygen levels, or low blood sugar, may also raise the risk of pregnancy complications.
When a pregnant woman is infected with malaria, there is a chance that the placenta or baby will become infected. Infection of the placenta is more common than infection of the baby.
Placental infection may prevent the baby from getting proper amounts of oxygen and nutrients. Infection may also raise the risk for dangerously high blood pressure in the mother.
If a baby is infected with malaria, the baby may develop symptoms of fever, irritability, feeding problems, breathing problems, sluggishness, paleness, anemia (low red blood cell count), an enlarged liver and spleen, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), and diarrhea in the weeks after birth.
How can you prevent malaria?
Sleeping under mosquito net is one of the best malaria prevention.
When traveling always protect yourself
Malaria takes the lives of more than 1,200 children under the age of 5 every day – the staggering equivalent of 50 children every hour.