Clinical presentation, haematological indices and management of children with severe and uncomplicated malaria in Douala, Cameroon.

This study carried out from January to June 2007, was undertaken to describe the clinical presentation of childhood malaria in Douala, a meso-endemic area as far as malaria transmission is concerned. One hundred and seventy eight children were enrolled after informed consent of their parents. The sample characteristics were recorded and clinical as well as preliminary laboratory investigations were performed. Thirty eight children coming for vaccination and counselling was targeted to serve as control. According to the results obtained, cerebral malaria (CM) seems to be associated with young age, whilst Malaria anaemia (MA) was predominant among older children. Hyperpyrexia and hyperparasitaemia were high among CM patients and 11.1% of them died, however, no neurological squeal was noticed immediately after discharge on those who survived. Haemoglobin and glycaemia were low on MA and CM patients; these groups had low percentage in bed nets utilization as well. These results suggest that the clinical presentation of the disease differ with the geographic location and malaria disease features varies according to the severity. Such studies could contribute to the management of the disease.