BMJ 2000;321:1288 ( 18 November )

Letters

Malaria affects children and pregnant women most

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR---Croft has written about preventing malaria in travellers.1 Malaria is more common and more severe in children and pregnant women, and clear recommendations regarding prevention in these groups are crucial.

Case reports of potential toxicity caused by diethyltoluamide in children and pregnant women are poorly documented, and in most cases use of the repellent was excessive. A retrospective study of 9086 reports of diethyltoluamide toxicity found that children were no more likely to develop adverse effects than adults.2 Almost two thirds of those exposed had no adverse effects, and 99% had no long term sequelae. Diethyltoluamide is the most effective insect repellent and should be recommended for children and adults, including pregnant women, in concentrations of up to 30%.

Croft does not provide sufficient information about the studies concerning use of mefloquine in childhood and pregnancy. 3 4 Luxemburger et al documented the efficacy and tolerability of mefloquine in 417 children aged . . . [Full text of this article]
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Relevant Article

Extracts from "Clinical Evidence": Malaria: prevention in travellers
Ashley Croft
BMJ 2000 321: 154-160. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Chen, L. H., Wilson, M. E., Schlagenhauf, P. (2007). Controversies and Misconceptions in Malaria Chemoprophylaxis for Travelers. JAMA 297: 2251-2263 [Abstract] [Full text]  
  • Onwuamaegbu, M E, Henein, M, Coats, A J (2004). Cachexia in malaria and heart failure: therapeutic considerations in clinical practice. Postgrad. Med. J. 80: 642-649 [Abstract] [Full text]  
  • Ernst, E. (2001). Complementary Medicine: Its hidden risks. Diabetes Care 24: 1486-1488 [Full text]  
  • Dellamonica, P. (2001). Homoeopathy in malaria: head of infectious diseases replies. BMJ 322: 1184-1184 [Full text]  

Rapid Responses:

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Selective use of the word "may"
J R Harper
bmj.com, 9 Jan 2001 [Full text]
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