MALARIA DURING PREGNANCY AND EFFECTS ON WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNTS:

Malaria remains a major mosquito-borne public health concern in Nigeria, and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable due to altered immunity. A cohort study was conducted to understand the effect of malaria on white blood cell counts among pregnant women in Aba metropolis, Abia state. Blood samples were collected from consented pregnant women to test for malaria parasites using Giemsa stained thick and thin films. Full blood count was done to determine their haematological parameters. Low and high white blood cell counts was defined as WBC<6.0x103μL and WBC > 12-16 x103 μL respectively according to WHO standard. Data on absolute lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes were also collected. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to the women to obtain information on their socio-demographic and obstetric data. Out of a total of 225 pregnant women examined, 34 tested positives resulting to 15.1% prevalence. Age related prevalence showed that women in their late reproductive age, 45-54 years had the highest rate (23.8%) of malaria infection, while women in their mid-reproductive age 35-44 years had the lowest rate (9.3%); though there was no statistical association (χ2=1.259, P=0.739). Malaria prevalence in relation to gravidity varied significantly among the study participants (χ2=14.306, P<0.0001) as primigravid women showed a higher rate 16(17.2%) than the multigravidae 18(13.6%). Women in their first trimester showed a significantly higher prevalence rate (21.6%) than women in their second 1(14.6%) and third trimesters 6(8.7%) (χ2=15.193, P<0.0001 and χ2=9.085, P=0.011 respectively). The mean values of total WBC count, lymphocytes and granulocytes were shown to be higher in the malaria infected participants than in the non-infected group except for the monocyte counts. Differences in the mean values were statistically significant (p<0.05) with exception to total WBC count and granulocytes (P=0.131 and P=0.063 respectively). Malaria during pregnancy is linked with an increase in total and differential white blood cells among pregnant women, even though they are still within normal range. These findings are useful for malaria diagnosis, prognosis and guiding therapeutic interventions.