Epidemiology of congenital malaria in the urban milieu of Kinshasa (Zaire)

: Thick blood films for detection of hematozoa were routinely performed in 953 neonates and their mothers within 12 hours of delivery. Hematozoa were found in 4% of neonates and 13% of mothers. Positive tests were found in 19 neonates born to mothers with negative tests. Mean birth weight was 3,166 g in infected neonates and 3,171 g in uninfected neonates, suggesting that congenital malaria has no effect on birth weight.