The Impact of Maternal Malaria on Adaptive Immune Responses in Offspring

Abstract

Maternal malaria, primarily caused by Plasmodium falciparum, significantly impacts the health of both mothers and their offspring, extending beyond immediate pregnancy complications. This review explores the effects of maternal malaria on the adaptive immune responses of offspring, focusing on how prenatal exposure influences T-cell and B-cell functions, cytokine profiles, and overall immune system development. Altered T-cell subsets, impaired B-cell responses, and skewed cytokine production can lead to increased susceptibility to infections and reduced vaccine efficacy in children born to mothers with malaria. The mechanisms underlying these effects include chronic inflammation induced by maternal malaria, the transfer of malaria-related factors across the placenta, and potential epigenetic modifications affecting immune gene expression. Persistent inflammation and immune dysregulation during critical periods of immune system development can disrupt normal immune function, increasing the risk of autoimmune conditions and chronic diseases later in life. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach, including strengthening malaria prevention programs, improving antenatal care, and supporting research into the long-term impacts of maternal malaria on immune function. By understanding and mitigating the effects of maternal malaria on offspring immunity, public health strategies can enhance health outcomes and reduce the burden of malaria on future generations. Keywords: Maternal malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, adaptive immune responses, T-cells, B-cells, cytokine profiles, offspring immunity, prenatal exposure, immune system development.