New research shows a causal link and reveals the mechanisms by which malaria in pregnancy alters the neurocognitive development of millions of children prior to birth.

Share on Pinterest Malaria exposure in pregnancy affects neurodevelopment and causes other impairments in the uterus, according to researchers.

Although there are some 125 million pregnancies worldwide at risk of malaria infection every year, little was known about the effect maternal malaria may have on the neurodevelopment of the unborn child.

PLOS Pathogens

The research team wanted to know if there was a causal link between malaria in pregnancy and neurocognitive impairment and, if this was the case, what mechanisms were causing this to occur, with particular reference to previous research on the mechanism known as “C5a signaling.”

To reach their findings, the researchers used a mouse model of experimental malaria in pregnancy.

As low birthweight and fetal malaria mechanisms also affect neurodevelopment, these were eliminated from the experiment as possible complicating factors.

In this experiment, young mice exposed to malaria in pregnancy were found to have impaired learning, impaired memory and showed depressive-like behavior throughout their lives.