ABSTRACT
Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is an important risk factor for infant morbidity and mortality especially in malarial endemic countries. The study focused on the prevalence of placental malaria and neonatal LBW, as well as the relationship between placental malaria and neonatal LBW outcome in Maiduguri metropolitan city, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 110 mother-neonatal pairs were studied. Neonatal birth weights were measured using the bassinet weighing scale and placental tissues for the diagnosis of placental malaria were collected from mothers of these neonates. Student t test and Chi-square trend (χ2) with Yate’s correction were used to investigate quantitative and categorical variables, whereas, Univariate analytical model was used to estimate the relationship between placental malaria, maternal age, parity and neonatal LBW. Results: Forty-nine mothers (44.5%) had placental malaria and the association of maternal age group (27-31and32-36) years with placental malaria was significant (p=0.029). Of the 14(100%) neonates with LBW, 10(71.4%) had their mothers diagnosed with placental malaria. The relationship between placental malaria and LBW was however not significant (p=0.207). Also, the relationship between maternal age, parity and neonatal LBW outcome was not significant. Conclusions: Placental malaria constituted 44.5% and the disease was associated with maternal age bracket (27-31and32-36) years in this work. Although the relationship between placental malaria and neonatal LBW was not significant, most neonates with LBW in present study had their mothers diagnosed with placental malaria.