Clinical Profile and Immediate Outcome of Complicated Malaria in Children

Abstract

Malaria is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world which has made children frequent victims of its complications. Inspite of measures taken to prevent and control malaria, its situation is getting worst globally, amounting to major mortality and morbidity. To study the incidence of complicated malaria in children admitted in Sri Venkateswara Ram Narain Ruia Government General Hospital Tirupati, during the period of October 2010 to September 2011, to identify various clinical presentations of complicated malaria in children, to study the immediate outcome of complicated malaria in children who are admitted in our hospital. Falciparum malaria constituted the predominant type with 90% of all complicated cases. Severe malaria constitutes nearly ½ of total malaria cases admitted in  our pediatrics  hospital.  1y-5y is most common age group for both uncomplicated and complicated malaria cases indicating the endemicity. Mortality from complicated malaria is highest with cerebral malaria.Early identification and prompt  treatment prevents most of deaths in children. Hyperparasitemia, malarial hepatitis and respiratory distress syndrome predicts poor out come.Stringent sanitary measures and vector control programmes, in endemic areas to be implemented in order to prevent the resurgence of  malaria.