Malaria

Supporting Information

Pregnant women are more likely to suffer from malaria than other women. The disease is more dangerous during pregnancy, especially during the first pregnancy. It can cause severe anaemia ('thin blood'), miscarriage, premature birth or stillbirth. Babies born to mothers who have had malaria during pregnancy will probably be underweight and therefore more vulnerable to infection or death during their first year.

Pregnant women should take antimalarial tablets during pregnancy where recommended.

Not all antimalarial tablets are safe to take during pregnancy. The health worker will know which antimalarial tablets are best.

Pregnant women need to sleep under mosquito nets that are regularly treated with insecticide to prevent mosquito bites.

Pregnant women with signs and symptoms of malaria must be treated adequately and immediately to prevent death.

Pregnant women who become ill with malaria should ask a health worker about iron and vitamin A supplements.