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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Cerebral malaria in children is associated with long-term cognitive impairment
Pediatrics, Volume 122, No. 1, Year 2008
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Description
OBJECTIVE. Cerebral malaria affects >785 000 African children every year. We previously documented an increased frequency of cognitive impairment in children with cerebral malaria 6 months after their initial malaria episode. This study was conducted to determine the long-term effects of cerebral malaria on the cognitive function of these children. METHODS. Children who were 5 to 12 years of age and presented to Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda, with cerebral malaria (n = 44) or uncomplicated malaria (n = 54), along with healthy, asymptomatic community children (n = 89), were enrolled in a prospective cohort study of cognition. Cognitive testing was performed at enrollment and 2 years later. The primary outcome was presence of a deficit in ≥ 1 of 3 cognitive areas tested. RESULTS. At 2-year follow-up testing, 26.3% of children with cerebral malaria and 12.5% with uncomplicated malaria had cognitive deficits in ≥1 area, as compared with 7.6% of community children. Deficits in children with cerebral malaria were primarily in the area of attention (cerebral malaria, 18.4%, vs community children, 2.5%). After adjustment for age, gender, nutrition, home environment, and school level, children with cerebral malaria had a 3.67-fold increased risk for a cognitive deficit compared with community children. Cognitive impairment at 2-year follow-up was associated with hyporeflexia on admission and neurologic deficits 3 months after discharge. CONCLUSIONS. Cerebral malaria is associated with long-term cognitive impairments in 1 of 4 child survivors. Future studies should investigate the mechanisms involved so as to develop interventions aimed at prevention and rehabilitation. Copyright © 2008 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Authors & Co-Authors
John, Chandy Chiramukhathu
United States, Minneapolis
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Bangirana, Paul
Uganda, Kampala
Makerere University
Byarugaba, Justus S.
Uganda, Kampala
Makerere University
Opoka, Robert Opika
Uganda, Kampala
Makerere University
Idro, Richard I.
Uganda, Kampala
Makerere University
Jurek, Anne M.
United States, Minneapolis
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Wu, Baolin
United States, Minneapolis
School of Public Health
Boivin, Michael Joseph
United States, East Lansing
Msu College of Osteopathic Medicine
Statistics
Citations: 292
Authors: 8
Affiliations: 4
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1542/peds.2007-3709
ISSN:
00314005
e-ISSN:
10984275
Research Areas
Disability
Food Security
Health System And Policy
Infectious Diseases
Maternal And Child Health
Study Design
Cohort Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
Uganda