Malaria in Neonates: Case series

Malaria is a parasitic infection caused by different plasmodium species. Plasmodium falciparum is the most prevalent species in Rwanda, but the cause of its transmission in neonates is unknown. Malaria is a major problem worldwide, especially in Sub- Saharan Africa, with significant health risks for infants and pregnant women [1], with 50 million women living in malaria-endemic areas becoming pregnant every year. Prevalence of maternal malaria is estimated at 28% with an incidence of congenital malaria of 0.3 to 10% [2][3]. Despite interventions such as distribution of mosquito nets and free rapid diagnostic tests for all age groups, cases are still being seen in hyper-endemic areas [4].

Newborns are known to rarely contract congenital malaria due to protection from passive maternal antibodies, high levels of fetal hemoglobin (which is resistant to P. falciparum), and the placental barrier [5]. However, its occurrence in neonates is not unusual [2]. It can be acquired from the mother prenatally or perinatally following a breach in the placental barrier, from mosquito bites, or by blood transfusions [6].

In this paper we describe clinical features of three cases of neonatal malaria treated successfully in the neonatal unit of the University Teaching Hospital of Butare (CHUB) from July to September 2014.