Scholars International Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (SIJTCM)
Volume-8 | Issue-01 | 1-7
Original Research Article
Prevalence of Malaria among Newborns at the Markala CSRef
Ouattara B, Kanthé D, Kassogué A, Koné O, Fomba D, Doumbia M, Kemenani M, Samaké Y, Dembélé SK, Malle K, Diarra I, Bakayoko TB
Published : Jan. 6, 2025
Abstract
Malaria is a serious and potentially fatal parasitic infectious disease caused by several species of parasite belonging to the Plasmodium genus. The female Anopheles injects the parasite into humans in the form of a "sporozoite". This rapidly migrates via the bloodstream to the liver. Transmission can occur through mother-to-child transmission and transfusion of infected blood products. Objective: To study the prevalence of malaria among newborn babies in the paediatric ward of the CSRéf in Markala. Methodology: Cross-sectional, retrospective, descriptive study from 1st January to 30th December 2023. Results: The mean age at admission was 03 to 07 days and 08 to 14 days of life. The sex ratio was in favour of males (51%). The overall result for the prevalence of malaria according to the means of biological diagnosisused was 0.62% for the RDT compared with 56.52% for the GE. The weight range where the RDT was positive was weights over 3.5kg. The results for congenital malaria were 0% for RDT and 60% for GE. The sex-ratio was in favour of males (51%). The age range at admission was 3 to14 days. The highest number of cases was observed in the month of May. The overall prevalence of congenital malaria including the total number of babies with cord blood parasitaemia and peripheral blood parasitaemia was 18.6% and 56.8% respectively using microscopy and real-time PCR. The frequency of cases of submicroscopic congenital malaria (negative on thick blood smear and positive on PCR) was 12.2%). Theaverageadmissionweightofnewbornswas2.9kg+/-0.9andtheaveragebirthweightwas2,319g(160.03)and 83 (81.4%). Conclusion: Congenital and neonatal malaria is a public health problem in a malaria-endemic country such as Mali. We note a difference in diagnosis according to the different biological means of diagnosis (RDT and EW). Newborns showing signs of suspected sepsis should be screened and treated early.