Neonates at risk of early neonatal malaria in Kigali University Teaching Hospital (UTHK) from 2013 to 2016

Cases: A review of case-files of 17 neonates whose mothers had a malaria diagnosis at the time of labor to better understand how neonates were investigated, diagnosed and/or treated for early neonatal malaria during the admission period. Four neonates were found to have neonatal malaria.

Results: All four neonates who were diagnosed and treated for malaria presented with non-specific clinical features of neonatal sepsis. Two had malaria in differential diagnoses at admission. All cases had a malaria positive blood firm. Two of the four neonates with neonatal malaria died. The investigation and management of these exposed neonates was not found to be consistent or standardized.

Conclusion: Neonatal malaria infection presents with similar features to neonatal sepsis and can be deadly if diagnosis and treatment is delayed. Consensus work is needed to develop a standardized approach to the investigation and management of neonates exposed to malaria during pregnancy.

Keywords
Congenital malaria; Malaria; Falciparum; neonatal sepsis; Infectious Disease Transmission; Vertical