A Trial of the Efficacy of Artesunate and Three Quinine Regimens in the Treatment of Severe Malaria in Children at the Ebolowa Regional Hospital - Cameroon

A Randomized Trial of the Efficacy of Artesunate and Three Quinine Regimens in the Treatment of Severe Malaria in Children at the Ebolowa Regional Hospital - Cameroon

The purpose of the study is to evaluate and compare the efficacy of parenteral artesunate with three quinine regimens in the treatment of severe malaria in children at the Ebolowa Regional Hospital located in the South region of Cameroon

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children presenting with one or more signs of severity of malaria according to the 2013 Cameroon National Malaria Control Programme adopted criteria (impaired consciousness, abnormal behaviour, convulsions, prostration, persistent vomiting, jaundice, hyperthermia, acute respiratory distress, clinical acidosis, haemoglobinuria, cardiovascular shock, dehydration, abnormal bleeding, severe anaemia, renal impairment, hypoglycaemia and hyperparasitaemia)
• and having an initial positive parasitaemia to Plasmodium falciparum
• Other aetiologies of the presenting symptoms excluded
• Written consent from parent(s)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Prior side effects to either artesunate or quinine administration
• Severely malnourished children
• Concomitant infection