A Congolese patient aged 25 years, suffering from weakness and weight loss was hospitalised at 23 weeks gestation. Laboratory investigations showed a haemolytic anaemia and a progressive visceral malaria sensitive to chloroquine. Pregnancy aggravates malaria and parasitaemia is higher in the prima gravida, especially during the second trimester.
Malaria leads to anaemia, a maternal and infant mortality factor.
Prophylaxis and treatment of malaria are vital in pregnancy.