skip to main content

Malaria in pregnancy — DTM&H MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

ModerateMalariaMalaria in pregnancyDTM&H

A 31-year-old woman at 28 weeks' gestation returns from Burkina Faso with fever. Blood film confirms uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria; she is haemodynamically stable and can tolerate oral medication. What is the most appropriate treatment?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B — Oral artemether-lumefantrine

Oral artemether-lumefantrine is the single best answer because artemisinin-based combination therapy is used for uncomplicated falciparum malaria in later pregnancy where appropriate. Primaquine radical cure is plausible in a related presentation, but it is less appropriate because it does not fit the key discriminator in this vignette. The teaching point is that primaquine and tafenoquine are avoided in pregnancy because fetal G6PD status is unknown.

Reference: WHO Guidelines for malaria, 2025; UKHSA Malaria prevention guidelines for travellers from the UK, 2025; CDC Yellow Book 2026