Burden of Malaria Parasitaemia and Anaemia among Pregnant Women at First Antenatal Visit at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Nigeria

Malaria is a global public health problem with at least 40% of the world population at risk. InAfrica, 30 million women living in malaria endemic areas become pregnant each year and they constitute the main adult risk group for malaria infection. For these women malaria is a threat to them and their unborn child. Malaria is said to be responsible for up to 200,000 newborn deaths per year . In Sub-Saharan Africa, malaria in pregnancy causes 400,000 cases of severe anaemia with an estimated 10,000 maternal deaths annually. In Nigeria, malaria is responsible for about 11% of maternal mortality. Women living in endemic areas have high immunity to malaria, the infection is frequently asymptomatic, and severe disease is uncommon. During pregnancy, this immunity to malaria is altered but infection is still frequently asymptomatic and many cases go undetected. However even the asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia may be associated with placental and congenital malaria. This often leads to low birth weight, an important contributor to early infant death. Malaria is thought to cause anaemia through a number 1