Abstract

THE IMPACT OF MALARIA ON MATERNAL AND NEONATAL HEALTH: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Pratiksha Shinde*, Arjun Jadhav, Chaitali Kulkarni and Aishwarya Shinde

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Abstract

Malaria remains a significant global health challenge, particularly affecting pregnant women and their newborns. In 2020, there were approximately 241 million malaria cases worldwide, leading to 627,000 deaths, predominantly in Africa. Pregnant women are especially vulnerable due to physiological changes that compromise their immune response, with malaria infection rates ranging from 10% to 60% in endemic regions. This infection contributes to adverse maternal outcomes such as anemia, increased obstetric complications, and heightened maternal mortality. Neonatal health is equally impacted, with malaria linked to low birth weight, preterm births, and increased neonatal mortality. This article reviews the pathophysiology of malaria in pregnancy, its implications for maternal and neonatal health, and highlights the need for effective prevention and treatment strategies, including the use of insecticide-treated nets and intermittent preventive treatment. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of addressing socioeconomic factors that exacerbate malaria's impact on vulnerable populations. The findings underscore the urgent need for global health initiatives to improve maternal and child health outcomes in malaria-endemic areas.

Keywords: Malaria, Pregnancy, Maternal health, Neonatal health, Prevention strategies, Socioeconomic factors.