[Mother-transmitted antimalarial immunity. its evolution in child (author's transl)].

The authors report the results of a survey and a longitudinal study of mother-transmitted antimalarial antibodies, conducted through indirect immunofluorescence tests. The data indicate that 16 p. 100 of the new-born and 25 p. 100 of the considered age group get maternal antibodies either through transplacental way of through breast-feeding. Among 99 mothers having a positive antimalarial serology at their delivery, 30 have transmitted their antibodies to their infant. But whatever the way of transmission may be, these antibodies do not last longer, as a rule, than one month. If this passive immunity is either lacking or insufficient to protect the child, it seems that HbF has a great protective role, as indicated by the concordance between its decrease and the raise of malaria morbidity in children. As a consequence of the existence of a natural protection by HbF during the first three months of life, malarial prophylaxis does not seem necessary during this period.