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Clinical and Biological Characteristics of Severe Malaria in Children under 5 Years Old in Benin
Xiao Ma1,2, Xin Fan3, Kora Chabi Youssaou4
1Department of Emergency, General Hospital, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.
Insights
Severe pediatric malaria in Benin disproportionately affects young children, presenting with symptoms like severe anemia and vomiting. High fatality rates underscore the urgent need for improved prevention and early treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Malariology
Background:
- Malaria poses a significant global health threat, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Pediatric malaria cases are prone to severe, potentially fatal outcomes.
- The COVID-19 pandemic complicated malaria diagnosis and treatment in 2020.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze clinical characteristics and laboratory indicators of severe pediatric malaria in Benin.
- To inform the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies for pediatric malaria.
- To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on malaria case management.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 236 pediatric severe malaria cases from two hospitals in Benin (January-December 2020).
- Patients were categorized into age groups (4-12 months, 13-36 months, 37-60 months).
- Comparison of clinical and laboratory indicators across age groups, including incidence and mortality rates.
Main Results:
- Severe anemia, vomiting, prostration, and dyspnea were common symptoms.
- Vomiting and severe anemia were prevalent in infants (4-12 months).
- Older children (37-60 months) showed higher delirium rates, higher hemoglobin/hematocrit, lower leukocyte counts, and higher parasitemia.
Conclusions:
- Severe pediatric malaria in Benin exhibits seasonal patterns and a high fatality rate in children under five.
- Urgent implementation of preventative measures and prompt, appropriate treatment is crucial.
- Addressing the severe disease burden and high mortality in pediatric malaria patients is a priority.
Background:
Malaria is a global public health concern, mainly occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Children infected with malaria are more likely to develop severe disease, which can be fatal. During COVID-19 in 2020, diagnosing and treating malaria became difficult. We analyzed the clinical characteristics and laboratory indicators of children with severe malaria in Benin to provide important information for designing effective prevention and treatment strategies to manage pediatric cases.
Methods:
Clinical characteristics of pediatric patients with severe malaria admitted to two hospitals in Benin (Central Hospital of Lokossa and Regional Hospital of Natitingou, located ∼650 kilometers apart) were collected from January to December 2020. Patients were grouped according to age (group A: 4-12 months old, group B: 13-36 months old, and group C: 37-60 months old), and clinical and laboratory indicators were compared. The incidences of severe pediatric malaria in both hospitals in 2020 were calculated. Inclusion, exclusion, and blood transfusion criteria were identified.
Results:
We analyzed 236 pediatric cases. The main clinical symptoms among all patients were severe anemia, vomiting, prostration, poor appetite, dysphoria, and dyspnea. Over 50% of patients in group A experienced vomiting and severe anemia. Most patients in group B had severe anemia and prostration. Delirium affected significantly more patients in group C than in groups A and B. In group C, the hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were significantly higher (p < 0.05), and the leukocyte count was significantly lower (p < 0.01) than in groups A and B. Parasitemia was significantly higher in group C than in group A (p < 0.01). Twelve deaths occurred.
Conclusions:
Severe pediatric malaria is seasonal in Benin. The situation in children under 5 years old is poor. The main problems are severe disease conditions and high fatality rates. Effective approaches such as prevention and early and appropriate treatment are necessary to reduce the malaria burden in pediatric patients.
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