Altered Fetal Cytokine Profiles Are Associated With Placental Malaria

Oral Abstract

We hypothesize that placental malaria causes chronic in utero inflam-mation with compensatory production of IL-10 and induction of Tregs. After birth,cytokine levels normalize, but Tregs may be maintained and downregulate effectiveimmune responses to malaria resulting in increased risk of malaria during infancy.We are currently conductingflow cytometric studies on cord blood to further explorethese hypotheses. Our results might inform the design and implementation of prenatalinterventions to protect the health of pregnant women, newborns and infants from malaria.