Cerebral malaria--a study of 104 cases.

One hundred and four adult cases of cerebral malaria (73 male, 31 female) were studied between July 1995 to June 1996 in Chittagong Medical College Hospital. Diagnosis of cerebral malaria was based on unrousable coma or any neurological manifestation in a febrile patient with asexual Plasmodium falciparum in blood film. Intermittent fever (83%), vomiting (80%), headache (75%), convulsion (60%) and history of travel or residence in malaria endemic area were important features noted in patients with cerebral malaria. Most of the patients (69%) were admitted within 25 to 48 hours following unconsciousness. The factors are more common in cases with high mortality with diastolic blood pressure (DBP) below 60 mm of Hg, anaemia, persistence of Glasgow Coma Score below 5 on day 2, high parasite count at presentation, proteinuria and high level of serum urea. Out of 104 cases of cerebral malaria 66 patients (63.5%) recovered without sequelae, 34 patients (32.7%) died and 4 patients (3.8%) recovered with some residual sequelae. Establishment of intensive care unit in tertiary level hospitals is necessary to take appropriate measure for severe cerebral malaria cases for reduction of mortality.