Pregnant women who get falciparum malaria while travelling are particularly prone to severe infections. They are specifically likely to have a high parasite load, with anaemia, hypogylcaemia and acute pulmonary oedema. As a result their babies are more likely to be distressed in the womb, and the woman may go into premature labour, and have stillborn babies. Her baby may have congenital malaria at birth.

Malaria in children
Most of the estimated one million deaths each year from falciparum malaria occur in children. Convulsions, coma, hypoglycaemia, metabolic acidosis, and severe anaemia are relatively common in children with severe malaria.

Children generally tolerate antimalarial drugs well and respond fast to treatment.