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Oral artesunate for neonatal malaria.
K Shreedhara Avabratha1, L Agnidevi Chettiyar, Navin P John
1Department of Paediatrics, Fr Muller Medical College, Mangalore, Karnataka, India. shreedharkdr@gmail.com
Journal of Tropical Pediatrics
|February 11, 2010
Summary
Neonatal malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax resistant to chloroquine was treated successfully with oral artesunate. This case highlights a promising alternative treatment for drug-resistant malaria in infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Tropical Medicine
Background:
- Neonatal malaria is a rare but serious condition.
- Plasmodium vivax is a common cause of malaria globally.
- Chloroquine is typically the first-line treatment for neonatal malaria.
Observation:
- A 24-day-old male infant presented with fever, poor feeding, pallor, and hepatosplenomegaly.
- Peripheral blood smear confirmed Plasmodium vivax infection.
- The infant showed no response to standard chloroquine treatment.
Findings:
- The infant was successfully treated with oral artesunate.
- This represents a viable alternative for chloroquine-resistant neonatal malaria.
Implications:
- Oral artesunate may be a valuable option for treating drug-resistant malaria in neonates.
- Further research is warranted to establish optimal dosing and long-term safety of artesunate in this population.
- This case contributes to the limited data on alternative antimalarial therapies for infants.
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