Biochemical Changes Associated with Malaria Infection in Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Imo State

Malaria in pregnancy remains a major cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa, and its biochemical effects on haematological and metabolic parameters in affected women require continued documentation in local clinical populations. This study investigates biochemical changes in pregnant women with confirmed malaria attending the Federal Medical Centre Owerri, Imo State. Sixty malaria-positive pregnant women confirmed by rapid diagnostic test and microscopy, and sixty malaria-negative pregnant women matched for gestational age and trimester, were enrolled. Venous blood was collected for full blood count, serum ferritin, serum albumin, fasting glucose, ALT, and AST. Thick and thin blood films confirmed parasitaemia density. Results show significantly lower haemoglobin, haematocrit, red blood cell count, and platelet counts in malaria-positive women compared to malaria-negative controls. Serum ferritin was significantly lower in infected women, indicating iron store depletion, while serum albumin was also reduced, suggesting catabolic stress. Fasting glucose levels were lower in the malaria-positive group, consistent with parasite-driven hypoglycaemia risk. ALT and AST activities were elevated in infected women but remained within moderate ranges. Anaemia was present in 73 percent of malaria-positive women compared to 38 percent in controls. The severity of biochemical derangements correlated with parasitaemia density. These findings underscore the systemic metabolic burden of malaria in pregnancy in Imo State and support the clinical importance of biochemical monitoring alongside antimalarial treatment. Keywords: malaria in pregnancy, biochemical changes, anaemia, Imo State, antenatal clinic.