Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026
In Vivo Tracking of Edema Development and Microvascular Pathology in a Model of Experimental Cerebral Malaria Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: June 8, 2017
Management of children with cerebral malaria in Lagos - a medical audit
1Department of Paediatrics, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos.PMB 12003, Lagos. a.lesi@alpha.linkserve.com
Insights
Medical audits reveal critical gaps in managing pediatric cerebral malaria at Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Improved record-keeping and staff retraining are essential for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Public health
Background:
- Cerebral malaria is a severe, high-fatality form of malaria.
- Effective management is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
- There is a need to assess patient care standards in specific healthcare settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a medical audit of pediatric cerebral malaria cases.
- To review patient management and identify areas for improvement.
- To enhance the standard of care at Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective audit of medical records.
- Analysis of clinical and management data for pediatric cerebral malaria patients over five years.
- Focus on information availability and treatment protocols.
Main Results:
- 50-60% of records lacked critical management information.
- Intravenous quinine was appropriately used in 94.7% of cases.
- Inappropriate use of mannitol/dexamethasone (21.1%) and blood transfusions (60% for 30% anemia).
Conclusions:
- Sub-optimal medical knowledge and practices identified.
- Need for retraining medical staff in record-keeping and management.
- Recommendation for implementing patient management guidelines.
Unlabelled:
Cerebral malaria, one of the severe forms of malaria, carries a very high fatality rate even when managed in the best of centres. This underpins the need for a medical audit to review patient management steps or procedures to improve the standard of patient care of children with cerebral malaria in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
Methods:
A retrospective audit of records of children with cerebral malaria who presented in the emergency room of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital in the last five years. Relevant clinical and patient management information of survivors were extracted from the records and analysed.
Results:
The records show that critical information useful in the management of these children was lacking in 50 - 60% of the records reviewed. The appropriate anti-malarial drug (intravenous quinine) in adequate doses was used in 54(94.7% ) of cases. A total of 12 patients (21.1% ) still had either mannitol or dexamethasone given to them. Blood transfusion was ordered in 60% of the children despite severe anaemia being present in only 30% of them.
Conclusion:
This study highlights the sub-optimal level of knowledge and practice among doctors and the need for retraining of medical staff in maintaining proper records. The authors recommend the use of patient management guidelines.
More Related Videos
11:27A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn
Published on: April 7, 2023
07:20Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Published on: August 9, 2024
