Impact of Malaria in Pregnancy on Maternal and Fetal Health Among Flood-Affected Patients at GMC Sukkur

Objective: To evaluate the impact of malaria among flood-affected pregnant women and their fetuses who presented at Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College (GMMC) Sukkur Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional Hospital based study was conducted at Obs& Gynae at Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College (GMMC) Sukkur during the year of 2022 on pregnant women resident of flood affected areas regardless of age, parity, or booking status, with a diagnosis of malaria. Demographic and clinical details, along with data related to maternal and fetal health, were collected using a pre-designed study proforma. SPSS version 26 was used for the data entry and its analysis. Results: Mean age of the women was 25.33+8.33 years and mean gestational age was 35.27+2.50 weeks. Plasmodium Vivax was the most common plasmodium 90.2%, followed by falciparum 4.9% and combined infection was detected in 4.9% of the women. Maternal anemia was common (76.2%), mainly linked to P. vivax (67.2%, p=0.331), while thrombocytopenia occurred in 48.4% of cases, significantly associated with P. vivax (40.2%, p=0.020). Fetal complications included preterm birth (16.4%, p=0.538) and low birth weight (16.4%, p=0.515), primarily linked to P. vivax. Intrauterine demise (4.1%) showed a significant association (p=0.001). Conclusion: This study revealed a significant impact of malaria, particularly Plasmodium vivax, on maternal and fetal outcomes among flood-affected women presented at GMC Sukkur. Frequent maternal complications observed anemia and thrombocytopenia, while fetal complications such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and NICU admissions were predominantly associated with P. vivax.