PROBLEMS OF THE MALARIA PARASITE DISEASE WITH CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN

All malaria parasites are pathogenic to man; increasing morbidity rates in poor countries that constrain economic growth. It reduces productivity and income. Apart from economic problem, malaria also constitutes physiological, clinical and epidemiological problems. Children and pregnant women encounter most of the problems of disease.


PROBLEMS IN CHILDHOOD
Many problems are encountered in children as a result of malaria infection which includes anaemia, childhood nephritic syndrome, celebral malaria e.t.c. Anaemia is a major problem of malaria especially in children .It is partly as a result of the distribution of erythrocytes by the parasites. When oxygen supply is reduced below normal need, anoxic anaemia results. On the other hand, if the host does not utilize adequate oxygen supply because of pathological changes in the metabolizing cells cytotoxic anaemia results i.e substances that are toxic to the cell.

Anaemia is usually fatal in children. Abdurraham,(1983), in a review of the aetiology and pathogenesis of the childhood nephritic syndrome in Africa refers to P. malariae   as the case of the syndrome in Africa. Nephritic syndrome affects the kidney function in children.
Another problem of the diseases is  hypoglycaemia,  which is the reduction in the glucose level of the blood. Hypoglycaemia has been associated with P.falciparium  malaria.  

Cerebral malaria is due to the discolouration of the brain in severe malaria. Cerebral malaria is often fatal and results in death of many African child. Convulsion may aiso set in,unrousable coma,pulmonary oedema,spontaneous bleeding as a result of malaria infection.

 PROBLEMS IN PREGNANT WOMEN
Malaria may pose a serious threat to a pregnant women and her foetus. Malaria infection in pregnant women is more severe than in non-pregnant women. It is a critical problem in pregnancy. Various studies show that parasitaemia increase between the first and second trimester of pregnancy. Malaria may increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes which includes abortion,anaemia , premature labour, neonatal deaths and low births weights (WHO 2003).                         
RELATED INFORMATION
Share on Google Plus

Declaimer - Unknown

The publications and/or documents on this website are provided for general information purposes only. Your use of any of these sample documents is subjected to your own decision NB: Join our Social Media Network on Google Plus | Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin

READ RECENT UPDATES HERE