Placental malaria: A threat to obstetric outcomes

Abstract

Placental malaria occurs when there is sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum infected red blood cells in the placenta. This is the primary mechanism by which malaria in pregnancy perpetuates its adverse perinatal outcomes such as miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR), low birth weight and poor cognitive functions.