Neuropaludisme Chez Les Enfants De Zero À Quinze Ans En Pédiatrie Au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire De Kara De Janvier À Décembre 2022
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction: Cerebral malaria is a diffuse encephalopathy characterized by coma with fever and the presence of asexual forms of Plasmodium in a capillary blood smear, in the absence of any other cause of encephalopathy. Purpose: To study the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic, and prognostic aspects of cerebral malaria in children aged 0 to 15 years in the pediatric department of Kara University Hospital (CHU Kara). Materials and Methods: A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection over a 12-month period in the pediatric department of CHU Kara, involving children aged 0 to 15 years hospitalized for cerebral malaria. Results: During the study period, the prevalence of cerebral malaria was 23.9%. The mean age was 36.88 ± 30.76 months, with a sex ratio of 1.02. Recurrent seizures were the most frequent symptom (82.9%). Consciousness disorders included lethargy (18.2%), obtundation (15.3%), and coma classified according to the pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale. The etiological treatment was based on artesunate administration in 95.3% of cases. The case fatality rate was 11.6%. Factors associated with death included: age under 5 years (p = 0.03), hypoglycemia (p = 0.002), respiratory distress (p < 0.001), and seizure duration beyond the second day (p < 0.05). A total of 24.7% of children were discharged against medical advice, mainly due to financial constraints. Conclusion: Cerebral malaria is a current issue in Kara and concerted actions are essential to reduce its lethality by acting on modifiable factors.
DOI: 10.70699/eyf33d27
Author: TALBOUSSOUMA, SOLLIM MYRIAM
Language: French
Topic: Malaria Research and Control
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7216304751