Delayed gastric emptying time in adult cerebral falciparum malaria.

Objective: We hypothesize that upper gastrointestinal symptoms in cerebral malaria are due to gastric motor dysfunction. But gastric motility studies in cerebral malaria are scarce. Methods: We determined gastric emptying half-time (GET½) of liquid meals quantitatively by radio isotope scintigraphy in 25 patients of cerebral malaria and 10 healthy controls. Results: GET½ was prolonged (46.5 ± 4.8 min) significantly (p <0.001) in patients of cerebral malaria compared to healthy controls (27.6 ± 5.3 min). Conclusion: Cerebral malaria can cause prolongation of gastric emptying time of liquid foods.