Transplacental transfer of anti-malarial antibodies: a systematic review - Report - MDSpire

Transplacental transfer of anti-malarial antibodies: a systematic review

  • By

  • Abebe Muche Belete

  • Abdouramane Camara

  • Taklo Simeneh Yazie

  • Lucas N. Amenga-Etego

  • Yaw Aniweh

  • June 19, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Systematic Review of Transplacental Antibody Transfer Against Malaria

Overview

This systematic review evaluates the transplacental transfer of malaria antibodies from mothers to newborns, focusing on the transfer based on antibody subclass and antigen type.

Background

Malaria poses a significant risk to pregnant women and young children, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Understanding the mechanisms of transplacental antibody transfer is crucial.

Data Highlights

ParameterPooled Prevalence95% Confidence Interval
Peripheral Malaria31.27%(24.9, 38.45)
Placental Malaria30.65%(20.29, 43.43)
Newborn Malaria9.53%(4.18, 20.29)

Key Findings

  • The pooled prevalence of peripheral malaria among mothers was 31.27%.
  • The pooled prevalence of placental malaria was 30.65%.
  • The pooled prevalence of malaria in newborns was 9.53%.
  • IgG1 and IgG3 were the predominant subclasses that transferred efficiently to newborns.
  • Factors associated with reduced maternal transfer of antibodies included HIV infection and low birth weight.
  • Antibodies against circumsporozoite protein were transferred more efficiently than those against merozoite surface protein 3.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare providers should be aware of factors that can hinder the transplacental transfer of malaria antibodies.

Conclusion

The efficiency of transplacental antibody transfer against malaria is influenced by antibody subclass and maternal factors.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 2023 -- Impact of Antimalarial Drug Selection for Pregnancy on Infant Immune Responses to Plasmodium falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane Proteins 1
  2. BMC Infectious Diseases, 2023 -- Evaluation of microscopy and first response™ malaria Ag PAN/Pf RDT compared to qPCR and hemoglobin levels in pregnant women at delivery in Busia County, Western Kenya
  3. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2023 -- Fc-Afucosylation of VAR2CSA-Specific IgG and Its Role in Clinical Immunity Against Placental Plasmodium falciparum Malaria
  4. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2023 -- Oxidative Stress in Human Syncytiotrophoblasts Triggered by Placental Malaria
  5. WHO guidelines for malaria, 2025 -- Guidelines for malaria
  6. Archives of Public Health, 2025 -- Prevalence, predictors and adverse perinatal outcomes of placental malaria in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
  7. Frontiers in Immunology, 2026 -- Transplacental transfer of anti-malarial antibodies: a systematic review
  8. WHO guidelines for malaria
  9. Prevalence, predictors and adverse perinatal outcomes of placental malaria in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis | Archives of Public Health | Springer Nature Link
  10. Frontiers | Transplacental transfer of anti-malarial antibodies: a systematic review

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