Antiparasitic treatments in pregnant women: Update and recommendations

Abstract

Parasitoses are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in resource-poor countries where the prevalence of such infections is very high. Their consequences for pregnant women are a public health issue. It is very challenging to successfully control parasitic infections with the dedicated drugs, while protecting the fetus from the harmful effects of these medications. However, in both temperate and tropical regions, true antiparasitic innovations are rare, and the therapeutic armamentarium remains limited. Scientific data is incomplete as only a few clinical studies have included pregnant women so far. Therefore, physicians have to learn how to thoroughly handle the antiparasitic molecules available. They also need to know the embryo- and fetotoxic effects of each of them. Medical practices must be adapted to the trimester of pregnancy.

Keywords: Fetal death; Hypotrophie; Low birth weight; Malaria; Morts fœtales in utero; Mutagenicity; Mutagénicité; Paludisme; Teratogenicity; Tératogénicité.