Severe Malaria
Hyperglycaemia is one of the features that characterise severe malaria
Severe Malaria (P. falciparum)
- Cerebral malaria → Coma, seizures, altered consciousness
- Severe anemia → Hemolysis, low hemoglobin (<5 g/dL)
- Blackwater fever → Intravascular hemolysis, dark urine (hemoglobinuria)
- Hypoglycemia → Common in pregnancy and children
- Renal failure → Acute kidney injury
Severe Malaria (IV Treatment)
- IV Artesunate (preferred) or IV Quinine
- Supportive Care → Fluids, blood transfusion, glucose monitoring
What our notes say
- Hyperglycaemia is one of the features that characterise severe malaria (Paediatrics Year 6 MBChB end of semester CAT: clinical case MCQs, 29 of 30 quest)
- Eight doses of Co-artem are required for a full course of treatment of non-severe malaria (Paediatrics Year 6 MBChB end of semester CAT: clinical case MCQs, 29 of 30 quest)
- Malaria endemic area: treat severe malaria with IV artesunate alongside antibiotics until it is excluded. (Sepsis and septic shock)
- Prevents complications: Early treatment prevents severe malaria and death (Epidemiology Case Study MCQs)
- Severe malaria:IV artesunate (preferred), followed by oral ACT. (Principles of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology LAQs & SAQs)
- P. falciparum causes severe malaria due to cytoadherence. (Malaria)
Study material on Severe Malaria
- Paediatrics Year 6 MBChB end of semester CAT: clinical case MCQs, 29 of 30 questions
- Principles of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology LAQs & SAQs
- Malaria
Practice questions on Severe Malaria
Hemoglobin variant protecting against severe malaria?
- HbS
- HbC
- HbE
- HbD
- HbF Answer:
Answer: A. Sickle trait carriers have reduced risk of severe P. falciparum malaria.* ---
Which hemoglobin variant protects against severe malaria?
- HbS
- HbC
- HbE
- HbD
- HbF
Answer: A. Sickle cell trait (HbAS) impairs parasite survival inside RBCs, conferring protection against severe P. falciparum malaria. ---