• G Bobossi Serengbe, J Ndoyo, A Gaudeuille, J D D Longo, M E Bezzo, S F Ouilibona, and B Ayivi.
• Clinique médicale infantile, complexe pédiatrique de Bangui, BP 607, Bangui, Centrafrique. ser-bob@caramail.com
• Med Mal Infect. 2004 Feb 1; 34 (2): 86-91.

ObjectiveThe authors had for aim, to determine the frequency and the main clinical forms of severe malaria and to evaluate its management.Patients And MethodsA cross-sectional investigation was made in the "Complexe Pediatrique" of Bangui, the only children hospital of the CAR capital, from 12 January to 12 September 1998. The survey included children 6 months to 15 years of age presenting on admission with a positive thick drop examination, and at least one of the clinical symptoms of severe malaria as defined by the World Organization of Health (WHO).ResultsFour hundred and thirty-two children were included. Those from 6 months to 4 years of age accounted for 89.35% of the studied population. The most frequent clinical forms were neurological 31% and anemic 22.2%; the other forms were combined in 42.8%. Managing patients consisted of an etiologic treatment by quinine (91.7%) or sulfadoxine pyrimethamine (3.2%) and symptomatic treatment in the following proportions: rehydration: 49.3%; blood transfusion: 36.3%; preventing seizure: 72.9%; oxygen therapy: 77.5%; use of antipyretics: 96.7%, and correction of hypoglycemia: 9%. The death rate remained high with 62 deaths (14.35%). It was higher in combined forms (48 deaths out of 62).ConclusionSevere malaria and its various clinical forms remain a major problem for our pediatric intensive care unit. Updated technical means and human resources could improve the management of severe pediatric malaria.

23 keywords...

hide…