EFFECT OF NUTRITIONAL STATE ON INFLAMMATION IN PREGNANT WOMEN INFECTED WITH MALARIA AT THE YARIMAN BAKURA SPECIALIST HOSPITAL IN GUSAU, ZAMFARA STATE.

Inflammation is a part of the body's defense mechanism in which the immune system recognizes and removes harmful and foreign stimuli and initiates the healing process. Populations residing in malaria-endemic areas generally live under low socioeconomic conditions, leading to poor nutritional status. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status of inflammatory and malaria-infected pregnant women who were receiving antenatal care at the Yariman Bakura specialist Hospital in Gusau, Zamfara State. Blood samples were collected to check the packed cell volume (PCV) level, and malaria status was analyzed using microscopy. (82.9%) women fell under the category of "Normal" mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) measurements, and (17.2%) categorized as "Severe Malnourishment. The antenatal clinic had a (23%) prevalence of malaria. (54.3%) packed cell volume (PCV) and (37.1%) hemoglobin (Hb) levels reported. High plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) levels were observed in (71.4%), (n= 39), whereas minor to elevated C - reactive protein levels were observed in (81.5%) (n=49). There was no statistical significance between plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (PLDH) and dietary diversity; however, C-reactive protein showed statistical significance with mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), packed cell volume (PCV) and plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (PLDH), (p= 0.042, 0.001 and 0.011 respectively). This study revealed that poor nutritional status, hemoglobin levels, and packed cell volume (PCV) levels affect inflammation in pregnant women infected with malaria. Therefore, urgent nutritional interventions and medical attention are needed for such individuals