Malaria specific-IgG, inter-pregnancy intervals, birth weights and body mass index in cases of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia.
OBJECTIVE
Considerations of both inter-pregnancy intervals and malaria parasitaemia may help in understanding some aspects of susceptibility and pregnancy outcomes in malaria endemic areas.


METHODS
Pregnant women with asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia were recruited and divided into groups based on their inter-pregnancy intervals and malaria specific-IgG, body mass index, and birth weights were studied in the groups.


RESULTS
The results showed that the P. falciparum specific-IgG concentration (f=3.52, p<0.02), malaria parasites density (f=6.44, p<0.001) and birth weights (f=7.36, p<0.001) were significantly different amongst the groups with varying inter-pregnancy intervals. In addition, different levels of associations between variables such as 'inter-pregnancy intervals vs P. falciparum specific-IgG concentration' (r = 0.23, p<0.05); 'malaria parasites density vs birth weight' (r = -0.84, p < 0.01) was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that inter-pregnancy intervals could be one of the factors influencing dynamic serum concentrations of P. falciparum specific-IgG while malaria parasitaemia could be one of the factors affecting birth weights. Hence, observance of inter-pregnancy intervals has its own implications in malaria endemic areas.
Onyenekwe
C C
CC
Department of Immunology & Chemical Pathology, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. charleschinedum2002@yahoo.com
Arinola
O G
OG
Meludu
S C
SC
Salimonu
L S
LS
Obisesan
A K
AK
Adewale
I F
IF
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001399:Azure Stains; D001721:Birth Intervals; D001724:Birth Weight; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009549:Nigeria; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy
D001399:Azure Stains; D007074:Immunoglobulin G