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Neurological sequelae in survivors of cerebral malaria

Isaac Oludare Oluwayemi1, Biobele Joackim Brown, Olusola Adetunji Oyedeji

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.

The Pan African Medical Journal
|November 8, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Neurological deficits can persist for up to 24 months in children surviving cerebral malaria (CM). This study found no link between common risk factors and the persistence of these long-term neurological impairments.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Global Health

Background:

  • Cerebral malaria (CM) is a significant cause of childhood mortality and long-term neurological disability.
  • Data on the persistence of neurological sequelae after hospital discharge and their associated risk factors in pediatric CM survivors are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To prospectively document persistent neurological impairments in children treated for cerebral malaria post-discharge.
  • To determine the frequency of persistent neurological deficits and identify risk factors associated with their persistence.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study involving 160 children treated for CM between January 2004 and November 2006.
  • Review of case records for initial CM treatment and subsequent follow-up of survivors to assess neurological sequelae.
  • Analysis of potential risk factors including hypoglycemia, anemia, age, sex, and convulsion multiplicity.

Main Results:

  • Of 160 admitted children, 131 (81.9%) survived CM.
  • Neurological sequelae were observed in 13.7% at discharge and 4.6% at follow-up.
  • Persistent deficits included memory impairment (1.5%), seizure disorders (0.8%), visual impairment (0.8%), speech impairment (0.8%), monoparesis (0.8%), and hyperactivity (0.8%), with the longest lasting up to 24 months. No significant associations were found between risk factors and persistence.

Conclusions:

  • Neurological deficits are common complications of childhood cerebral malaria.
  • Neurological sequelae can persist for extended periods, up to 24 months or longer, in CM survivors.
  • Identified risk factors for CM did not correlate with the persistence of neurological sequelae.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cerebral malariaNigeriachildrenneurological sequelae

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