Publication: Clinical features and outcome of severe malaria in gambian children
Issued Date
1995-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
15376591
10584838
10584838
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-0029166522
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Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Clinical Infectious Diseases. Vol.21, No.3 (1995), 577-587
Suggested Citation
D. Waller, S. Krishna, J. Crawley, K. Miller, F. Nosten, D. Chapman, F. O. Ter Kuile, C. Craddock, C. Berry, P. A.H. Holloway, D. Brewster, B. M. Greenwood, N. J. White Clinical features and outcome of severe malaria in gambian children. Clinical Infectious Diseases. Vol.21, No.3 (1995), 577-587. doi:10.1093/clinids/21.3.577 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/17499
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Title
Clinical features and outcome of severe malaria in gambian children
Abstract
The clinical and laboratory features of severe falciparum malaria in 180 Gambian children were studied between 1985 and 1989. Of the 180 children, 118 (66%) presented with seizures, 77 (43%) had cerebral malaria, 35 (20%) had witnessed seizures after admission, 29 (16%) were hypoglycemic, and 27 (15%) died. Respiratory distress was a common harbinger of a fatal outcome. The differences in admission parasite counts in the blood, hematocrit, and opening cerebrospinal pressures for patients who died and survivors were not significant. A multiple logistic regression model identified neurological status (coma, particularly if associated with extensor posturing), stage of parasite development on the peripheral blood film, pulse rate of >150 or respiratory rate of >50, hypoglycemia, and hyperlactatemia (plasma lactate level, >5 mmol/L) as independent indicators of a fatal outcome. Biochemical evidence of hepatic and renal dysfunction was an additional marker of a poor prognosis, but, in contrast to severe malaria in adults, none of these children with severe malaria had acute renal failure. © 1995 by The University of Chicago. All rights reserved.