Abstract:

Cerebral malaria is the most severe neurological impediment of infection and it is caused by Plasmodium falciparum idro et al. The article was aims to determine the main pathogenic processes and causes of death of children infected with cerebral malaria, by using clinical observations and pathologic findings, among children admitted with cerebral malaria who fulfil the world health organization criteria for cerebral malaria (WHO). The article further emphasises in regard using treatment challenges facing the children affected by cerebral malaria.

Using Artesunate in the treatment of cerebral malaria was found to be infective in complete eradication of the parasite that causes the disease. The article proposes that an enlargement in brain volume caused by the pressure exerted within the brain of children infected with cerebral malaria will be considered as the main cause of death. The article looks forward for its contribution to the population affected with malaria by inputting new scientifically proven knowledge that enhances new drug development.

The article begins with general introduction and proceeds by mentioning the aims and problems and the importance of the study. So, to address the stated problem the article uses an observational study design on children suffering from cerebral malaria. The article bases on numerous literature reviews, this supports the significance of the research. The comparison statistical analysis which was done on children with cerebral malaria who survive verses who lived.

The study was carried out in Queen Elizabeth Central hospital in Blantyre Malawi, from 2009 to June 2011.

References:

[1].    Beare N. A.V, Taylor TE, Harding SP, Lewallen S and Molyneux M, 2006. Malarial retinopathy: A newly established diagnostic sign in sever malaria.

[2].    Brown H, Rogerson S, Taylor T, Tembo M, Mwenechanya J, Molyeux M and Turner G, 2001. Blood-brain barrier function in cerebral malaria in Malawian children.

[3].    Dondorp A, Nosten F, Stepniewska K, Day N, White N. Artesunate versus quinine for treatment of severe falciparum malaria: a randomised trial. Lancet 2005; 366:717-25.

[4].    Idro R, Jenkin e N, Newton RJC Charles, 2005. Pathogenesis, clinical features, and neurological outcome of cerebral malaria.

[5].    Lewallen S, Taylor E Terrie, Molyneux E. Malcom, Wills A Bridget, Courtright P, 1993. Ocular Fundus findings in Malawian children with cerebral Malaria.

[6].    Newton RC, Peshu N, Kendall B, Kirkham, Sowunmi A, Waruiru C, Mwangi I, Murphy AS and Marsh K, 1994. Branin swelling and ischaemia in Kenyans with cerebral malaria.

[7].    Newton, CRJC, Winstanley PA, Peshu.N, Marsh, RRCP, Kirkham. F.J Pasvol. G and Warrel DA., 1991. Intracranial pressure in African children with cerebral malaria

[8].    MacPherson GG, Warrell MJ, White NJ, Looareesuwan S, Warrell DA. Human cerebral malaria: a quantitative ultrastructural analysis of parasitized erythrocyte sequestration. Am J Pathol 1985;119: 385-401.

[9].    Murphy CS and Breman GJ, 2001. Gaps in the childhood malaria burden in Africa: cerebral Malaria, Neurological sequelae, Anemia, Respiratory Distress, hypoglycaemia and complications of pregnancy.

[10].Potchen MJ, Kampondeni SD, Seydel KB, et al. Acute brain MRI findings in 120 Malawian children with cerebral malaria: new insights into an ancient disease. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2012;33:1740-6.

[11].Taylor TE, Fu WJ, Carr RA, et al. Differentiating the pathologies of cerebral malaria by postmortem parasite counts. Nat Med 2004;10:143-5.

[12].Waller D, Crawley J, Noster. F, Chapman D, Krishna S, Craddock C, Brewster D and White JN, 1990. Inracranial pressure in childhood cerebral malaria.

[13].Wassmer CS, Combes V and Grau EG, 2003 Pathophysiology of cerebral malaria.

[14].World malaria report. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2014 (http://www.who.int/malaria/publications/world_malaria_report/en).