Objective: This study was conducted to assess prospectively the frequency of cognitive deficits in children with cerebral malaria.
Methods: Cognitive testing in the areas of working memory, attention, and learning was performed for Ugandan children 5 to 12 years of age with cerebral malaria (n = 44), children with uncomplicated malaria (n = 54), and healthy community children (n = 89) at admission and 3 and 6 months later.
Results: Six months after discharge, 21.4% of children with cerebral malaria had cognitive deficits, compared with 5.8% of community children. Deficits were seen in the areas of working memory (11.9% vs 2.3%) and attention (16.7% vs 2.3%). Children with cerebral malaria had a 3.7-fold increased risk of a cognitive deficit, compared with community children, after adjustment for age, gender, nutritional status, school level, and home environment. Among children with cerebral malaria, those with a cognitive deficit had more seizures before admission (mean: 4.1 vs 2.2) and a longer duration of coma (43.6 vs 30.5 hours), compared with those without a deficit. Children with uncomplicated malaria did not have an increased frequency of cognitive deficits.
Conclusions: Cerebral malaria may be a major cause of cognitive impairment in children in sub-Saharan Africa. Cognitive deficits in children with cerebral malaria are more likely for those who have multiple seizures before effective treatment for cerebral malaria.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1542/peds.2006-2027 | DOI Listing |
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Article Synopsis
- Malaria has surged in sub-Saharan Africa due to disruptions from the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to severe cases like cerebral malaria and acute kidney injury.
- A 22-year-old male from Chad, who presented with confusion and had a history of travel to an endemic area, was initially misdiagnosed but later confirmed to have malaria with severe symptoms.
- Successful treatment included intravenous artesunate and hemodialysis, and the patient was discharged after 20 days, highlighting the need for quick diagnosis and effective management of malaria complications.
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