Overview
Malaria in pregnancy is more dangerous than malaria at any other time — it can cause severe anaemia in the mother and miscarriage, premature birth or low birth weight in the baby, even when the mother's symptoms seem mild. Nigerian antenatal care includes preventive malaria doses and free insecticide-treated nets for good reason. Every fever in pregnancy needs a test the same day.
Symptoms
- Fever, chills and headache
- Body aches and weakness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Paleness from anaemia
- Sometimes few symptoms despite the parasite harming the placenta
- Reduced baby movements (danger sign)
Causes & risk factors
- Bite from an infected mosquito
- Reduced immunity to malaria during pregnancy
- Sleeping without an insecticide-treated net
- Skipping antenatal preventive doses
Treatment & self-care
Confirmed malaria in pregnancy is treated promptly with antimalarials that are safe in pregnancy, selected by a clinician — never self-medicate, as some antimalarials are unsafe in early pregnancy. Prevention is standard antenatal care: intermittent preventive doses at scheduled visits and sleeping under a treated net every night. Attend all antenatal visits so anaemia and the baby's growth are monitored.
See a doctor urgently if
- Any fever in pregnancy — get tested the same day
- Vomiting that prevents keeping medicines down
- Severe headache, dizziness or marked paleness
- Reduced baby movements
- Convulsions or confusion — emergency
This condition can be an emergency. If any of the signs above are severe or getting worse, go to the nearest emergency room now or call 112 or 199 — do not wait for an online consultation.