TABLE 1.
Characteristics based on submicroscopic malaria infection in pregnant women included in the study
| Parameter | No. of women assessed (n = 180) | Value for the parameter by PCR result |
P valuef | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCR positive (n = 45)e | PCR negative (n = 135) | |||
| Characteristics at enrollment | ||||
| Median age (yr [IQR]) | 21 (19–28) | 22 (19–28) | 0.96 | |
| Median height (cm [IQR]) | 157 (152–160) | 156 (152–161) | 0.88 | |
| Median weight (kg [IQR]) | 53 (50–62) | 55 (50–62) | 0.62 | |
| Gravidity (no. of subjects [%]) | ||||
| Primigravid | 16 (35.6) | 40 (29.6) | 0.46 | |
| Secundigravid | 11 (24.4) | 31 (23) | 0.84 | |
| Multigravid | 18 (40) | 64 (44.4) | 0.49 | |
| Median gestational age (weeks [IQR]) | 171 | 21 (14–24) | 19 (15–25) | 0.75 |
| Median Hb level (g/dl [IQR]) | 167 | 11.6 (10.7–12.6) | 11.8 (11–12.55) | 0.71 |
| Use of bed nets (no. [%]) | 179 | 25 (55.6) | 63 (46.7) | 0.31 |
| Delivery outcomes | ||||
| Mean wt of newborn (g [± SD]) | 177 | 3,220 ± 510 | 3,259 ± 451 | 0.63 |
| LBW babies (no. [%])a | 5 (11.1) | 6 (4.4) | 0.15 | |
| Mean gestational age (weeks [± SD])b | 171 | 38.5 ± 2.1 | 38.9 ± 2.1 | 0.25 |
| Preterm births (no. [%])c | 8 (17.7) | 16 (11.9) | 0.32 | |
| SGA births (no. [%]) | 177 | 5 (11.1) | 14 (10.4) | 0.59 |
| Anemia (no. [%])c | 164 | 17 (37.7) | 30 (22.2) | 0.11 |
| Median Apgar score (range)d | 174 | 8.5 (5–9) | 8.6 (4–10) | 0.20 |
a
LBW, low birth weight, defined as <2,500 g.
b
Gestational age was determined by ultrasound.
c
Preterm birth, <37 weeks. Anemia, Hb level of <11 g/dl.
d
The Apgar index was determined after the first minute of birth.
e
Only women positive for an SMI were included in the analysis.
f
Calculated by Fisher's exact test, unpaired t test, or Mann-Whitney test.