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[Life-threatening Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia, in an infant returning from the tropics]

P Gérardin1, A Dorkenoo, R Cremer

  • 1Réanimation pédiatrique, hôpital Jeanne-de-Flandre, 2, avenue Eugène-Avinée, 59037 Lille cedex, France.

Archives De Pediatrie : Organe Officiel De La Societe Francaise De Pediatrie
|January 22, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Severe falciparum malaria in a non-immune infant returning from Ivory Coast presented with early signs of prostration and thrombocytopenia. These symptoms appeared to predict severity more rapidly than hyperparasitemia or WHO criteria.

Area of Science:

  • Tropical medicine
  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Malariology

Background:

  • Severe falciparum malaria is a life-threatening illness.
  • Hyperparasitemia is uncommon in non-immune children returning from endemic areas.
  • Early recognition of severe malaria is crucial for timely intervention.

Observation:

  • A case report of an infant returning from Ivory Coast with Plasmodium falciparum infection.
  • The infant presented with fever, prostration, and severe thrombocytopenia (22,000 platelets/mm³).
  • Initial parasite density of 1.7% rapidly increased to 45%.

Findings:

  • The infant developed multiple features of severe malaria as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO).
  • Prostration and thrombocytopenia were noted as potential early indicators of disease severity.
  • Hyperparasitemia, while present, was not the initial sign of critical illness.

Implications:

  • Prostration and thrombocytopenia may serve as earlier warning signs of severe malaria in non-immune pediatric travelers.
  • Existing WHO criteria for severe malaria may require validation in the context of returning pediatric travelers.
  • This case highlights the importance of considering malaria in febrile infants with relevant travel history.
Abstract

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