Table II.
Manifestations of severe malaria in patients in Mulago Paediatric emergency unit
| Manifestations of severe malaria |
% of patients with manifestation (n = 784) |
Mortality in children who had manifestation |
Mortality in children who did not have the manifestation |
P value |
| Defining manifestations of severe malaria | ||||
| Severe anaemia (Hb < 5 g/dl) |
39.4 | 4.8 | 3.6 | 0.142 |
| Respiratory distress (tachypnoea & flaring of alae nasi, chest in drawing or deep breathing) |
17.1 | 7.8 | 2.1 | 0.003 |
| Multiple convulsions (≥2 in 24hr) |
13.3 | 7.6 | 3.1 | 0.073 |
| Hypoglycaemia (Blood sugar < 40mg/dl) |
11.4 | 7.1 | 3.2 | 0.238 |
| Cerebral malaria (BCS1 0–2) | 7.2 | 19.6 | 1.7 | < 0.0001 |
| Haemoglobinuria | 2.7 | 5.9 | 3.6 | 0.736 |
| Spontaneous bleeding | 0.3 | 0 | 3.7 | 0.940 |
| Supporting manifestations of severe malaria | ||||
| Hyperpyrexia (axillary temp > 39.5°C) |
22.5 | 4.3 | 2.8 | 0.326 |
| Impaired consciousness (BCS 3,4) |
10.3 | 11.7 | 1.9 | <0.0001 |
| Jaundice | 11.6 | 7.3 | 2.5 | 0.047 |
| Prostration (Unable to sit, stand or feed) |
10.7 | 8.3 | 3.1 | 0.125 |
| Hyperparasitaemia (Parasite density > 250,000/µl) |
8.6 | 4.6 | 2.9 | 0.682 |