Accra, May 14, GNA - The Society of Ghana Women Medical and Dental Practitioners (SGWMDP) on Friday urged pregnant women to endeavour to attend antenatal clinics, from the time pregnancy is confirmed. A statement issued by the Society and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra to commemorate World Malaria Day (April 25) and Mothers' Day (May 9), drew the attention of pregnant women, attending physicians, pharmacists, drugstore operatives and households of the harmful effects of malaria to both mothers and the foetus.

It said malaria in pregnancy could lead to miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as maternal anaemia and malaria in the newborn. The Society therefore encouraged pregnant women to avoid mosquito bites throughout the period, by sleeping in impregnated bed nets at night, use of mosquito repellent coils, sprays and ointments and to reduce time spent outdoors after dark.

"After the 16th week of pregnancy, unless exempted by her doctor or midwife, every pregnant woman should take Sulphadoxine 500mg-Pyrimethamine 25mg (SP) at monthly intervals for three months. During the three months of taking SP, the pregnant woman should also take folic acid a week," it said.

The statement said pregnant women who catch fever or think they have malaria, should consult their doctor or midwife as soon as possible for a blood test and early treatment; adding that "malaria in the first trimester should be treated with oral quinine or a combination of quinine and clindamycin and not Artesunate combination drugs because they are not recommended in the first trimester".

It said malaria in the second and third trimester should be treated with oral quinine or the combination of Artesunate-Amodiaquine or artemether-Lumefantrine.

"If the malaria does not respond to this treatment, pregnant women should see a doctor as soon as possible for hospitalisation and further treatment," adding that "We should come together and count malaria out," the statement concluded. 14 May 10