Oxford University recently announced that researchers from the university, in collaboration with Thai counterparts, investigated approximately 3,800 pregnant women in the Thailand-Myanmar border region. Many of these women had contracted malaria during early pregnancy.Ultrasound scans conducted during their second trimester revealed that fetuses of mothers who had contracted malaria exhibited a head circumference approximately 2% smaller than those of other pregnant women—a significant indicator of fetal growth restriction.
However, the study also found that if malaria-infected pregnant women receive early diagnosis and effective treatment, fetal development can gradually recover over time.By the time of delivery, the newborn's head size could largely return to normal.
Researchers noted that past strategies for helping pregnant women manage malaria often focused on the later stages of pregnancy. This study demonstrates that taking measures early in pregnancy—such as preventing malaria infection or ensuring early detection and treatment—is equally crucial.