Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

BACKGROUND: Malaria prevalence has declined in western Kenya resulting in risk of neurological phenotypes in older children. This study investigates clinical the profile of paediatric malaria admissions ahead of the introduction of RTS,S/AS01 vaccine. METHODS: Malaria admissions, aged 1 month to 15 years, were identified from routine standardised inpatient clinical surveillance data collected between 2015 and 2018 from 4 hospitals in western Kenya. Malaria phenotypes were defined based on available data. RESULTS: 5,766 malaria admissions were documented; the median age was 36 (interquartile range, 18-60) months; 15% were aged between 1-11 months of age, 33% were aged 1-23 months of age, and 70% were aged 1 month to 5 years. At admission, 2,340 (40.6%) children had severe malaria; 421/2,208 (19.1%) with impaired consciousness, 665/2,240 (29.7%) with inability to drink or breastfeed, 317/2,340 (13.6%) with two or more convulsions, 1,057/2,340 (45.2%) with severe anaemia, and 441/2,239 (19.7%) with severe respiratory distress. Overall, 211 (3.7%) of malaria admissions died; 163/211 (77% deaths, case fatality 7.0%) and 48/211(23% deaths, case fatality 1.4% ) met criteria for severe malaria and non-severe malaria at admission respectively. Median age for fatal cases was 33 (interquartile range, 12-72) months and case fatality was highest in those unconscious (44.4%). CONCLUSION: Severe malaria in western Kenya is still predominantly among the younger paediatric age group and current interventions targeted for those <5 years are appropriate. However, there are increasing numbers of children older than 5 years and on-going hospital surveillance would identify when interventions should target older children.

Original publication

DOI

10.1093/cid/ciz844

Type

Journal article

Journal

Clin Infect Dis

Publication Date

26/08/2019

Keywords

Kenya, admissions, children, malaria, severe