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Definition of Pregnancy-associated malaria
Medically reviewed by Dr. Otari Nergadze, Neurosurgeon | Updated: January 2026
Pregnancy-associated malaria: A specific syndrome that occurs only in pregnant women and that is characterized by the accumulation in the placenta of red blood cells containing the malarial parasite. Pregnancy-associated malaria causes low birthweight and maternal anemia. Therefore, it is associated with substantial rates of morbidity (disease) and mortality (death) for both the mother and baby.