Pediatric malaria management: Report on 312 cases at Angré University Hospital (Abidjan - Côte d'Ivoire)

Abstract

Introduction: Malaria is the leading cause of hospitalization and death in children. The aim of the study was to evaluate the management of malaria in children at Angré University Hospital, with a view to improving prognosis and professional practice. Material and methods: This was a prospective, analytical study conducted in the pediatrics department of CHU d'Angré from January 1 to December 31, 2021. It focused on children aged 0 to 15 presenting with simple or severe malaria confirmed by biology with an antimalarial prescription. Results: 312 children were enrolled, 50.6% of them male. Mean age was 4.6 years; 72.7% of cases were under 5 years of age and 26% slept under impregnated mosquito nets. Anaemic and neurological forms accounted for 68.6% of severe malaria. Artemeter-Lumefantrine (ACT) combinations (87.8%) were prescribed in cases of uncomplicated malaria. Artesunate was prescribed in cases of severe malaria (99%). The average length of hospital stay was 3 days, and the death rate was 3.2%. The case-fatality rate for severe malaria in this study was 13.2%. Conclusion: Malaria in children is severe, with a high case-fatality rate, hence the need for better preventive (LLINs, vaccination) and curative management of malaria and anemia in children.