Background: Inflammatory cytokines play an integral role in human immune responses to malarial disease. However, the role of these mediators in disease pathogenesis, as well as relationship between host protection and injury remains unclear; so this study aimed at assessing the neonatal cytokines accompanying maternal malaria Methods: A prospective cross-sectional hospital based study that enrolled a total of 180 pregnant women, among whom (150 with confirmed maternal malaria as cases and 30 without malaria as controls). Socio-demographic data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Plasmodium infection was microscopically diagnosed using Giemsa-stained blood smear. The birth weights (BW) of the newborns were recorded soon after delivery. Cord blood cytokines were examined via ELISA technique. Results: An association was noted between maternal malaria and birth weight reduction (2592g vs. 3101g). The present study, revealed a significantly elevation in Tumor necrosis factor TNF-α and Interleukin 8 IL-8 in neonates born to women infected with malaria parasite (P. value = 0.016, 0.047 respectively) compared to healthy controls. Nonetheless, our findings noted no statistical difference in IL-10 between cases and control groups (p. value= 0.25). Conclusion: There is a relationship between elevation of neonatal inflammatory cytokines, birth weight reduction and malaria infection during pregnancy. The findings might explain some of the adverse effects on the health of neonates born to women infected with malaria parasite.
