Discussion
malaria, infections, tetanus, malaria infection, bacterial infections
BACTERIAL INFECTIONS, MALARIA, INFECTIONS, REGRESSION, TETANUS
We found no significant differences in cord IgG sub-type levels in children whose mothers were on SP versus those on DP for most antigens. Significant differences were only noted for tetanus toxoid in IgG1 levels against all the erythrocyte binding antigens (EBA140, EBA175, EBA181) and IgG4 against merozoite surface proteins (MSPCH150, MSP2Dd2). In all cases where significant differences were observed, mean cord levels for SP group are higher than the DP group. While most of the previous studies haven’t directly compared effects of DP and SP on cord expression of IgG subtypes against We found no association between placental malaria and the cord levels of IgG sub-class levels in malaria holoendemic area of Busia, Eastern Uganda. Even where differences exist, it was never skewed to either mothers who were negative for placental malaria or those positive but varied from one antigen to another. Studies done in other parts of Africa had different findings; some found strong association between placental malaria and reduced transfer/expression of maternal IgG from placental to cord blood. One study of interest concluded there was no significant difference in the expressed levels of antibodies against signature The multivariate cox regression analysis showed children with increased levels of cord blood total IgG against PfSEA, Rh 4.2, AMA1, EBA175, Etramp5Ag1and GLURP antigens have increased risk of malaria infection in the first birth year. The Schizont Egress 1 antigen facilitates merozoites egress; the protein has also been associated with kinetochore function during schizont development [This study found that children born to poor mothers had highest risk of malaria infections during the first birth year. Mothers with inadequate income cannot afford quality food and nutrition supplement required for a baby’s growth, cannot promptly diagnose and treat infections such as malaria, parasitic and bacterial infections and others that can affect a baby’s health [