Table 1 Comparison of the typical signs and symptoms of severe malaria in South East Asian adults and in African children
From: Management of severe paediatric malaria in resource-limited settings
Sign or symptom | Children | Adults |
|---|---|---|
Duration of illness | Short 1–2 days | Longer 5–7 days |
Respiratory distress/deep breathing (acidosis) | Common | Common |
Convulsions | Common > 30% | Common (12%) |
Abnormal Motor Posturing | Common | Uncommon |
Prostration/obtundation | Common | Common |
Resolution of coma | Early 1–2 days | Longer 2–4 days |
Neurological sequelae (following cerebral malaria) | Common (5-30%) | Uncommon (1%) |
Jaundice | Uncommon | Common |
Hypoglycaemia (blood glucose <2.2Â mmol/L) | Common | Less common |
Metabolic acidosis (base excess < -8; lactate > 5 mmols/L | Common | Common |
Pulmonary oedema | Rare | Uncommon |
Renal failure | Rare | Common |
CSF opening pressure | Usually raised | Usually normal |
Bleeding/clotting disturbances | Rare | Up to 10% |
Invasive bacterial infection (co-infection) | Common (10%) | Uncommon (<5%) |