Halofantrine hydrochloride-efficacy and safety in children with acute malaria

Thirty two children with symptomatic malaria due to P. vivax and P. falciparum infections were treated with three doses of Halofantrine hydrochloride 8 mg/kg body weight every 6 hours. Mean fever clearance was 30 hours [range 24-48 hours]. No significant clinical or biochemical side effects were observed. Symptoms cleared rapidly. Halofantrine hydrochloride was found to be highly effective and appeared to have no side effects in children with acute malaria infections

Immunization status of Pakistani children in an urban practice

One thousand children were evaluated through interviews to ascertain their immunization status for six EPI [expanded programme of immunization] targeted diseases. As indicated by other reviews of this nature, we also found that a majority of children under 5 years are adequately vaccinated. However agewise analysis for individual vaccine showed that many children are lagging behind in relation to recommended time schedule. For instance, only 45% were vaccinated against BCG by 2 months, whereas only 68% were immunized against measles between 9-12 months. In this situation they are likely to remain vulnerable to these infections especially in the first year of life