Diagnosis and Management of Imported Malaria in the Emergency Department
Alisa McQueen1, Jonathan Mannheim2
1Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Rush Medical College, Attending Physician, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County.
Insights
Imported malaria in children is rising globally due to migration. This review covers diagnosing and managing imported malaria in non-endemic countries, focusing on travel history, challenges, and acute care.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Travel Medicine
Background:
- Malaria poses a significant global health burden, particularly in endemic regions like sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South/Central America.
- Increased global migration leads to a rise in pediatric malaria cases presenting in non-endemic countries, termed imported malaria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diagnosis and management of imported malaria in children.
- To highlight key aspects of travel history, diagnostic difficulties, and acute management strategies for imported pediatric malaria.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on imported malaria in pediatric populations.
- Synthesis of information on clinical presentation, diagnostic approaches, and treatment protocols.
Main Results:
- Travel history is crucial for identifying potential malaria exposure in children presenting with febrile illness in non-endemic areas.
- Diagnostic challenges include low parasite density and non-specific symptoms, necessitating high clinical suspicion.
- Prompt diagnosis and appropriate antimalarial treatment are vital for favorable outcomes in imported pediatric malaria.
Conclusions:
- Imported malaria in children requires careful consideration in non-endemic settings, especially in returning travelers.
- Effective management hinges on thorough travel history, timely diagnosis, and prompt, correct treatment.
- Awareness and preparedness are essential for healthcare providers managing pediatric imported malaria cases.
Abstract:
Malaria is a worldwide problem with significant disease burden in endemic areas, including part of sub-Saharan Africa and several countries in South and Central America. With increasing patterns of global migration, more children with malaria are presenting to nonendemic countries, a phenomenon known as imported malaria. This review summarizes the diagnosis and management of children with imported malaria, with emphasis on key features of the travel history, diagnostic challenges, and management strategies in the acute setting.
