Severe Congenital Malaria Acquired in utero
Poespoprodjo JR., Hasanuddin A., Fobia W., Sugiarto P., Kenangalem E., Lampah DA., Tjitra E., Price RN., Anstey NM.
Vertical transmission of Plasmodium falciparum is under-recognized and usually associated with asymptomatic low-level parasitemia at birth. We report symptomatic congenital malaria presenting as a neonatal sepsis syndrome. The presence at birth of a high asexual parasitemia, gametocytemia, and splenomegaly indicated in utero rather than intrapartum transmission. The neonate was successfully treated with intravenous artesunate followed by oral dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine, without apparent adverse effects.