Congenital falciparum malaria

**Definition:** A disease caused by an infection with the protozoan parasite Plasmodium falciparum in utero. This disease is characterised by fever, anaemia, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, jaundice, regurgitation, diarrhoea, or poor feeding. This disease may also present with respiratory distress, drowsiness, or cyanosis. Transmission is by vertical transmission. Confirmation is by identification of the Plasmodium falciparum in a blood sample from the neonate.