Congenital Malaria in a Neonate - An Unusual Case Report

Congenital malaria is extremely rare condition which occurs due to direct infection of an infant with malaria parasites from their mother prior to or during birth. We here in report a case of 21 - day neonate who had intermittent high - grade fever & vomiting with Hb 7.2 g/dl, WBC 9, 000 /cmm, platelet count 1, 12, 000/cmm and CRP 136 mg/dl. Examination of peripheral blood smear revealed micocytic hypochromic anemia along with ring & trophozoites of P. Vivax grade +3. History of mother was re - evaluated. She was positive for P. Vivax during delivery. Hence diagnosis of congenital malaria was suggested.