Maternal hypoglycemia can cause fetal distress without any signs. It makes malaria more common and more severe. And to add to the woes, malaria itself suppresses immune response. Hormonal changes of pregnancy, reduced synthesis of immunoglobulins, reduced function of reticulo endothelial system are the causes for immunosuppression in pregnancy. This results in loss of acquired immunity to malaria, making the pregnant more prone for malaria.
Malaria is more severe with higher parasitemia.
Patient may have more frequent paroxysms of fever and frequent relapses. Risks for the foetus Malaria in pregnancy is detrimental to the foetus. High grades of fever, placental insufficiency, hypoglycemia, anemia and other complications can all adversely affect the foetus. Both P. vivax and P. falciparum malaria can pose problems for the foetus, with the latter being more serious. Transplacental spread of the infection to the foetus can result in congenital malaria.