Biphasic Clinical Course among Kenyan Children with Cerebral Malaria
Afr. j. neurol. sci. (Online)
; 27(1): 6-10, 2008. tab
Article
in English
| AIM
| ID: biblio-1257404
Responsible library:
CG1.1
ABSTRACT
Background:
Cerebral malaria is the most severe neurological complication of Falciparum malaria. It is associated with a significant risk of death and neurological sequelae. A biphasic clinical picture is associated with an even greater risk of neurological sequelae.Objective:
To examine the incidence and clinical characteristics of a biphasic clinical course in children with cerebral malaria and to study its relationship with outcome.Method:
We undertook a retrospective study of children admitted to Kilifi District Hospital with a history of impaired consciousness and Falciparum infection between January 1994 and December 2004. We identified children with a biphasic clinical course and examined their clinical characteristics and outcome against that of those with a single clinical course.Results:
Out of 587 children with cerebral malaria; 11 were found to have a biphasic clinical course often heralded by recurrence of seizures. This clinical pattern was associated with a greater incidence of neurological sequelae but no death.Conclusion:
We speculate that a biphasic clinical course may occur due to recurrent seizures; co-morbidity and reperfusion of cerebral areas previously clogged by parasitized red blood cells. A prospective examination of this group may shed more light on causality and enlighten further on pathogenesis of cerebral malaria
Full text:
Available
Index:
AIM (Africa)
Main subject:
Plasmodium falciparum
/
Seizures
/
Child
/
Coma
/
Biphasic Insulins
/
Malaria
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Risk factors
Language:
English
Journal:
Afr. j. neurol. sci. (Online)
Year:
2008
Type:
Article
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