title: Malarial immunity in pregnant Nigerian women and their newborn.
abstract: The levels of malarial fluorescent antibody titers (MFAT) were estimated throughout pregnancy and at delivery in 20 urban Nigerian primigravidas who received malarial chemoprophylaxis. There was a statistically significant (p < 0.001) fall in the MFAT levels as pregnancy progressed. The mean logarithmic MFAT levels were 2.8664 +/- 0.3326 and 2.2794 +/- 0.1656 in the first and last trimesters of pregnancy, respectively. The MFAT level in the newborn was positively correlated to the maternal MFAT level at delivery (r = 0.9468; p < 0.001). If malarial prophylactics are used for a prolonged period, the maternal MFAT level will fall, leaving newborns with lowered immunity to malaria.
mesh_terms: D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000276:immunology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008288:Malaria / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009549:Nigeria; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000962:Antimalarials