Effect of HIV infection and Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia on pregnancy outcomes in Malawi

Abstract

Plasmodium falciparum and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are both risk factors for low birth weight (LBW) and maternal anemia, and they may interact to increase risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. In 2005 and 2006, we followed 831 pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in southern Malawi through delivery. HIV was associated with increased risk of LBW (adjusted prevalence ratio [PRadj] = 3.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.40, 6.79). Having greater than or equal to three episodes of peripheral parasitemia was also associated with increased risk of LBW (PRadj = 2.68, 95% CI = 1.06, 6.79). Among multigravidae, dual infection resulted in 9.59 (95% CI = 2.51, 36.6) times the risk ..