Table 2.
Admission Characteristics and Outcomes of Children With Severe Malaria
| Variable | Group 4 (n = 226) | Group 5 (n = 703) |
|---|---|---|
| Coma (BCS ≤2 or GGS ≤10) | 30 (13) | 213 (30) |
| Prostration (inability to sit) | 106 (47) | 403 (57) |
| Convulsions (≥2 within 24 h) | 40 (18) | 268 (38) |
| Severe anemia (hemoglobin concentration <5 g/dL) | 128 (57) | 221 (32) |
| Hypoglycemia (glucose concentration <2.5 mmol/L) | 27 (12) | 145 (21) |
| Acidosis (lactate concentration >5 mmol/L or base excess ≤−8 mmol/L)a | 97 (43) | 314 (49) |
| Respiratory distressb | 74 (33) | 131 (19) |
| Shockc | 21 (9) | 111 (16) |
| Blood culture positivityd | 47 (20.8) | 36 (5.1) |
| Mortality | 31 (13.7) | 99 (14.1) |
Data are no. (%) of children.
Abbreviations: BCS, Blantyre coma scale; GCS, Glasgow coma scale.
a Data were missing for 29 children in group 4 and 61 children in group 5.
b Defined as nasal alar flaring, costal indrawing, use of accessory muscles, or severe tachypnea.
c Compensated shock (capillary refill time of ≥3 seconds or presence of a temperature gradient with systolic blood pressure of ≥70 mm Hg) and decompensated shock (systolic blood pressure of <70 mmHg) combined.
d Data were missing for 3 children in group 5.