TABLE 1.
Characteristics of patients in the artesunate suppository and i.m. artemether groups at the time of admission to the studya
| Measure | Value for group
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Artesunate suppositories | i.m. artemether | |
| No. of patients | 41 | 38 |
| Age (yr) | 3.6 ± 1.6 | 3.8 ± 2.2 |
| Sex (% males) | 20 (50) | 21 (55) |
| Initial drug dose (mg/kg) | 11.2 ± 2.2 | 3.6 ± 0.9 |
| Body wt (kg) | 12.6 ± 3.4 | 13.4 ± 4.8 |
| Axillary temp (°C) | 38.7 ± 1.1 | 38.7 ± 1.5 |
| Respiratory rate (/min) | 43 | 43 |
| Pulse rate (/min) | 122 ± 18 | 122 ± 16 |
| Blantyre coma score | 4.5 ± 1.0 | 4.7 ± 0.7 |
| Parasite density (/μl) | 69,000 (770-458,000)b | 40,100 (775-473,000) |
| Mixed infection with P. vivax (%) | 1 (2) | 3 (8) |
| Hemoglobin (g/dl) | 9.1 ± 2.2 | 8.4 ± 3.0 |
| Blood glucose (mmol/liter) | 7.1 ± 2.7 | 6.6 ± 2.4 |
| Plasma bicarbonate (mmol/liter) | 18.5 ± 5.3 | 17.1 ± 4.8 |
| Plasma lactate (mmol/liter) | 4.4 ± 2.7 | 5.5 ± 4.3 |
| Plasma urea (mmol/liter) | 4.1 ± 1.7 | 3.4 ± 1.2 |
| Plasma bilirubin (μmol/liter) | 28 ± 22 | 28 ± 25 |
a
Data are expressed as means ± standard deviations or medians (ranges) unless otherwise specified.
b
Mann-Whitney U test, P < 0.05.