TITLE:
Descriptive and Analytical Study of Factors Associated with Mortality in Severe Malaria among Children in Dakar Emergency Departments from July to December 2022
AUTHORS:
Aliou Thiongane, Abou Ba, Fatou Ly, Aliou A. Ndongo, Djibril Boiro, Younoussa Kéita, Idrissa Basse, Babacar Niang, Indou Dême Ly, Yaye Joor Dieng, Djenaba Fafa Cissé, Ndiogou Seck, Lamine Thiam, Papa Moctar Faye, Amadou Lamine Fall, Assane Sylla, Ousmane Ndiaye
KEYWORDS:
Children, Malaria, Death, Factors
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.13 No.6,
November
10,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background: Malaria is the most widespread parasitic disease and remains a public
health priority worldwide. The severe form is fatal if not treated early and
appropriately. The aim was to carry out a descriptive and analytical
study of the factors associated with mortality during severe malaria in
children attending emergency departments in Dakar, Senegal. Methods: This is a prospective, observational and analytical study conducted over
a 6-month period (July 1 to December 31, 2022), focusing on children
hospitalized for severe malaria according to WHO severity criteria. Results: A total of 403 patients were hospitalized, including 78 cases of severe
malaria (19.35%). Males predominated
(60.26%) (sex ratio 1.51). The average age was 6.56 years [8 months - 14
years], with the [5 - 10 years] age group the most represented (40.26%). The average
consultation time was 5.33 days (1 - 19 days).
The main reasons for consultation were fever (70.51%), vomiting (24.35%) and
convulsions (14.10%). Biological signs of severity were severe anemia (17.95%),
renal failure (6.4%) and hypoglycemia
(3.85%). Thrombocytopenia was noted in 52.56% of patients, including
32.05% of severe cases (sis in 61.41% of cases. Hyponatremia was noted in 39.74% of cases and hyperkalemia
in 2 patients. Artesunate was the main drug used (93.59% of cases). Mortality
was estimated at 1.5%. Factors leading to death were coma (P Conclusion: Malaria is still a public health problem, with a high mortality rate in
emergency departments. Reducing this mortality rate requires effective management
of the factors associated with death.