New microfluidic device mimics nutrient exchange between mother and fetus affected by placental malaria
Placental malaria following Plasmodium falciparum infections can lead to serious complications for both mother and child. Each year, placental malaria causes almost 200,000 newborn deaths, mainly due to low birth weight, as well as 10,000 maternal deaths. Placental malaria results from parasite-infected red blood cells that get stuck in tree-like branch structures that make up …