Pregnancy-associated malaria (PAM) or placental malaria is a presentation of the common illness that is particularly life-threatening to both mother and developing fetus.[1] PAM is caused primarily by infection with Plasmodium falciparum,[1][2] the most dangerous of the four species of malaria-causing parasites that infect humans.[3] During pregnancy, a woman faces a much higher risk of contracting malaria and of associated complications.[4] Prevention and treatment of malaria are essential components of prenatal care in areas where the parasite is endemic – tropical and subtropical geographic areas.[5][6] Placental malaria has also been demonstrated to occur in animal models, including in rodent and non-human primate models.[7]
While the average adult citizen of an endemic region possesses some immunity to the parasite,[8] pregnancy causes complications that leave the woman and fetus extremely vulnerable.[1] The parasite interferes with transmission of vital substances through the fetal placenta,[1][9] often resulting in stillbirth, spontaneous abortion, or dangerously low birth weight.[1] The tragedy of malaria in developing countries, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, receives abundant attention from the international health community, but until recently PAM and its unique complications were not adequately addressed.[6]
^Perlmann P, Troye-Blomberg M (2000). "Malaria blood-stage infection and its control by the immune system". Folia Biologica. 46 (6): 210–8. PMID11140853.
^Matteelli A, Caligaris S, Castelli F, Carosi G (October 1997). "The placenta and malaria". Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology. 91 (7): 803–10. doi:10.1080/00034989760563. PMID9625937.