Clinical presentation and diagnosis of cerebral malaria in children in the highlands of western Kenya
Esamai, F.; Nabakwe, E.; Mining, S.; Forsberg, P.; Lewis, D.H.
East African Medical Journal 76(2): 89-92
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-835X PMID: 10442129 Document Number: 500083
A prospective study was conducted from May to September 1997 (the rainy season) in the highlands of Kenya. 23 consecutive children (17 boys, 6 girls) aged 1-12 years old with cerebral malaria (Plasmodium falciparum) were studied. All were treated with the standard quinine regimen for cerebral malaria. Most of the children were 6 to 10 years old and 95.7% were of normal weight for age. 21, 17 and 16 had fever, headache and convulsions, respectively. 15 had a short duration of illness (<3 days) with only 9.5% presenting with hypoglycaemia. Severe anaemia was not observed but 72% had mild to moderate anaemia. Hyperparasitaemia (parasite counts >100 000/ micro l) was seen in most cases. It is concluded that cerebral malaria presentation in the highlands is similar to that among non-immune populations and is an acute fulminant illness presenting with coma, hyperparasitaemia, fever and convulsions in children with normal nutritional status.