Symposium: malaria, maternal and infant health

Malaria, maternal and infant health; perspectives from Asia and Africa

June 19th, 2012

Hosted by the Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development (AIGHD) and the AMC Departments of Infectious Diseases and Global Health.

The symposium

During pregnancy both Plasmodium falciparum infection and infection with P. vivax-parasites can have severe consequences for mother and child. At the Thai-Burmese border, researchers of the Shoklo Malaria Research Unit (SMRU), led by Francois Nosten, have documented these precise observations well. Together with researchers from the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit in Bangkok they have published on many aspects of malaria and established a great reputation on a number of subjects that will be addressed during this symposium.

Two Dutch researchers will present parts of their PhD research at SMRU, including an ultrasound examination during pregnancy, whether or not complicated by malaria, and susceptibility to malaria during pregnancy, during childbirth, in the puerperium and with newborns. Both in Asia and Africa maternal mortality is a major problem. Besides malaria other causes play an important role, which are often of unknown origin. From both continents this important, underexposed issue will be raised.

Severe and complicated malaria continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Asia and Africa with children and adults. Disagreement remains about various aspects of the treatment. Recent research findings on parasitic and additional treatment and on fluid balance and shock control and possibilities of influencing the rheology are also discussed.