Childhood malaria during the covid-19 pandemic management period at the University hospital of Brazzaville

Abstract

Objective: To study the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic, and clinical course aspects of malaria during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patients and Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study conducted from March 14 to October 14, 2020, in the pediatric departments of the Brazzaville University Hospital. The study included all children admitted to the pediatric departments for malaria.

Results: The study included 222 male children (53.2%; n=118/222) with a mean age of 6.9 years ± 4.6 years (range: 1–17 years). The mean time to presentation was 0.6 ± 2.5 days (range: 1–15 days). The primary reason for consultation was fever (81.0%, n=180/222). The most common clinical signs were pallor of the skin and mucous membranes (94.6%; n=210/222) and coma (42.3%; n=94/222). The thick smear test for malaria parasites was positive in 86.0% (n=191/222). Severe malaria was observed in 89.6% (n=199/222) and uncomplicated malaria in 10.4% (n=23/222). Artesunate-amodiaquine (98.6%, n=219/222), artemether-lumefantrine (28.4%, n=63/222), and artesunate (27.0%, n=212/222) were the most commonly used antimalarial drugs. The outcome was favorable in the majority of cases, but death occurred in 12.2% (n=27/222).

Conclusion: The incidence of severe malaria was high in our study. The mortality rate was high despite treatment being provided in a specialized setting.