BMJ  2006;333 (21 October), doi:10.1136/bmj.333.7573.0-a

Neurological presentation of malaria in Yemen has poor prognosis

Malaria is a serious burden on health services in Yemen; it accounts for 17% of paediatric hospital admissions, and more than half of cases are classified as severe falciparum malaria. A two site observational study by Al-Taiar and colleagues (p 827) found that female sex, history of fits, Blantyre coma score < 2, and hyperlactataemia were associated with poor prognosis. Of the 26 children who died, 22 presented with neurological signs; this is in contrast to Africa, where severe anaemia and respiratory distress are better predictors of fatal outcome.

Credit: HELDUR NECTOCNY/PANOS

 

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Severe malaria in children in Yemen: two site observational study

Abdullah Al-Taiar, Shabbar Jaffar, Ali Assabri, Molham Al-Habori, Ahmed Azazy, Nagiba Al-Mahdi, Khaled Ameen, Brian M Greenwood, and Christopher J M Whitty
BMJ 2006 333: 827. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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