Ouelessebougou

Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum remains a serious global health problem with severe effects, especially during pregnancy and early childhood. This study aims to better understand the immune and parasite-related factors influencing infection and disease in pregnant women and young children in Mali. Researchers are investigating how pregnancy malaria leads to complications like low birth weight and maternal anemia, and how in utero exposure affects childhood malaria risk. The study also explores whether severe malaria parasites in children have unique features. The research is a long-term observational study conducted in Ouelessebougou and Bamako, Mali. It will include up to 2000 pregnant women and their infants, 2000 children aged 0 to 3 years followed until age 5, and 3000 febrile children up to 10 years old from hospitals and health centers. Additionally, 500 pregnant women will participate in a case-control study on pregnancy malaria and preeclampsia. Up to 1000 children previously enrolled at birth will be re-enrolled and followed for up to 10 years into adolescence and early adulthood. Participants will undergo clinical evaluations and periodic blood sampling to monitor infection and immune responses. Researchers will analyze parasitologic and host response factors over time using statistical methods. The primary outcomes focus on maternal, placental, parasite, and host factors associated with resistance to malaria infection and disease in children up to 5 years old. The study includes healthy volunteers aged from newborn to 45 years, with ongoing sample and data analysis.