Spectrum of vivax malaria in pregnancy and its outcome: a hospital- based study

It has been recognized for nearly a century that preg-nant women are especially prone to severe malaria. Studies from various countries of Asia regarding impact of unstable malaria in pregnant women have shown it to be an important cause of maternal death1,2, but in India only a limited number of hospi-tal-based studies have been carried out regarding the consequences of malaria infection in pregnant women3–5. Considering the severity of the problem, we planned to undertake an in-depth prospective study on impact of Plasmodium vivax malaria in preg-nancy and its outcome in comparison to non-preg-nant female patients residing in the same environ-ment and community. These observations are of immense clinical significance and are essential for th