Will my child have immunity against malaria?
Dr Pradeep Seth
Professor of Virology and Head, Department of Microbiology,
and In-charge HIV/AIDS Reference Centre (NACO),
A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi
Professor of Virology and Head, Department of Microbiology,
and In-charge HIV/AIDS Reference Centre (NACO),
A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi
Q: I caught malaria twice in Ghana in the year before I fell pregnant. I believe it was not the type that relapses. My baby is now 9 weeks old and we are considering returning to Ghana in the next year or two. Will she have some in built immunity from me?
A:No. Malaria does not impart protective immunity to the patient against future infections. Maternal antibodies acquired from previous infections also do not protect the new born.