Author(s)

Joseph Agossou^1,2*, Falilatou Agbeille Mohamed^1,2, Mèdétinmè Gérard Kpanidja^1,2, Alphonse Noudamadjo^1,2, Julien Didier Adédémy^1,2, Zinsou Rodrigue Ahodègnon^1,2

¹Department of Mother & Child, Faculty of Medicine, University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin.
²Pediatric Unit of the Borgou/Alibori Regional University Teaching Hospital, Parakou, Benin.

Introduction: The occurrence of malaria is classically described as uncommon or exceptional in the neonatal period. This work aims to describe the epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic, clinical features and outcomes of congenital malaria in the Borgou/Alibori Regional University Teaching Hospital (CHUD B/A) located in Parakou. Patients and Methods: This research is a cross-sectional and descriptive study that was conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit of the CHUD B/A from January to December 2017. It included and involved all newborns less than eight (08) days old with positive thick smears. Comorbidities were taken into account to establish the diagnosis of congenital malaria with accuracy. Findings: A total of 170 newborns out of 892 newborns admitted tested positive with Plasmodium falciparum thick smears, i.e., a hospital-based frequency of 19%. The sex ratio was 1.1. The mean age was 22.44 ± 2.72 hours. There was malaria-bacterial infection comorbidity in 39.3% of cases. Among the 91 cases of thick smears testing positive without stigma of bacterial infection, G6PD deficiency and fetal-maternal Rhesus incompatibility, the main reasons for admission were prematurity (51.6%), low birth weight (44%), neonatal distress (31.8%) and respiratory distress (15.3%). In addition, the main signs found during the physical examination were neurological disorders or impairments (43.9%), respiratory distress (30%), hyperthermia (12.1%) and jaundice (4.4%). The mean or median parasitemia was 490 parasites/μl, with extremes ranging from 100 to 6500 parasites/μl. Treatment was based on artemisinin derivatives. The patient condition improved in 88.7% of cases. Overall mortality was estimated at 11.9%, and the specific mortality was 13.2%. Conclusion: Congenital malaria is a reality that actually prevails in the CHUDB/A. It has become vital and urgent to explore innovative, effective and efficient strategies to ensure its management and prevention. A study using PCR as the gold standard should be conducted to better assess the extent and magnitude of the disease.

Congenital Malaria, Prevention, Benin

Agossou, J. , Mohamed, F. , Kpanidja, M. , Noudamadjo, A. , Adédémy, J. and Ahodègnon, Z. (2019) Congenital Malaria in the Borgou/Alibori Regional University Teaching Hospital: Myth or Reality?. Open Journal of Pediatrics, 9, 183-191. doi: 10.4236/ojped.2019.93018.