Malaria in children

E Pender1, J Newman

  • 1Division of Emergency Services, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Insights

Malaria cases in children are increasing, with a rise in Plasmodium falciparum infections. Chemoprophylaxis compliance is low and does not always prevent malaria in returning travelers.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Tropical medicine
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Malaria remains a significant global health concern, particularly in children.
  • Understanding trends in pediatric malaria cases is crucial for public health interventions.

Observation:

  • An 11-year study documented 54 pediatric malaria cases.
  • Recent years show an increasing incidence of malaria in children.
  • Plasmodium falciparum has become a more dominant malaria parasite in this cohort.

Findings:

  • Poor compliance with malaria chemoprophylaxis was observed.
  • Even with chemoprophylaxis, protection against malaria is not guaranteed.
  • Fever in a child recently returned from an endemic area necessitates malaria consideration.

Implications:

  • Increased vigilance for malaria is required in pediatric populations with travel history.
  • Chemoprophylaxis strategies may need re-evaluation for improved efficacy.
  • Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential for pediatric malaria cases.

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