Placental malaria: a systematic review and meta-analysis of global burden, risk factors, and maternal and foetal outcomes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pregnant women in malaria-endemic countries are at risk of placental malaria (PM), which can lead to adverse outcomes for both mothers and children. Histology of placental tissue is the gold standard for diagnosing PM, as it can detect current and past infections. Prior reviews focussed on malaria in pregnancy generally; in this systematic review, we specifically examine PM due to Plasmodium falciparum, its associated risk factors, and its impact on maternal and foetal outcomes.

Methods

We included studies performed since 2013, reflecting important updates in WHO policy recommendations for PM control efforts and resistance to sufadoxine-primethamine resistance over the past decade. After extracting relevant data, we calculated the pooled prevalence, odds ratios (O

SUBMITTER: Menon S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12659800 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature