Congenital Malaria in a 20-Day-Old Neonate: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Background: Congenital malaria is a relatively rare condition where the Plasmodium parasite is transmitted from the mother to the fetus during pregnancy. It is associated with a high fatality rate if it is not promptly diagnosed and treated. Case Summary: We report an unusual case of a 20-day-old male baby with Plasmodium vivax malaria from Western Ethiopia, suspected primarily on the basis of positive maternal history that mother had attacks of malaria in the 3 rd , 5th, and 8 th months of gestation and was cured with artemether-lumefantrine therapy. Infant presented with vomiting and a high-grade fever. The blood film of the baby showed trophozoites stage of Plasmodium vivax with a parasite density of +3. The neonate had severe thrombocytopenia (49,000/micro liter) and Splenomegaly (spleen was palpable 2cm along its line of growth). The patient was admitted to the hospital and treated with artesunate for five days and discharged on the sixth day of admission in stable condition. Conclusion: Sick neonates born to mothers in malaria-endemic areas or with a history of malaria attack(s) in the index pregnancy should be promptly investigated for malaria