Childhood malaria in Edinburgh 1961-1982

Forty one cases of malaria in children less than 15 years of age were identified from the records of Edinburgh hospitals between 1961 and 1982. Annually children constitute 10 to 20 per cent of all cases of malaria in Scotland and since 1971 at least one case has been admitted to an Edinburgh paediatric unit every year. Non-immune children visiting relatives in the Indian sub-continent are the largest group at risk. Prophylaxis was not usually taken by the patients visiting Asia and the cases from Africa had not taken prophylaxis for the recommended month after departure. Nine families were identified in whom more than one member had malaria and screening of the parents and siblings of all cases is recommended.