Packaged treatment for first-line care in cerebral malaria and meningitis.
Described are the results of a trial carried out from January to June 1996 in southern Malawi to determine the effectiveness of a treatment pack for infants and children under the age of 6 years, who presented as emergencies to rural health centres with presumptive diagnoses of severe/cerebral malaria or meningitis. Each complete treatment pack (approximate cost, US$ 6) contained, inter alia, intramuscular quinine, intramuscular choloramphenicol, dextrose, paraldehyde, a nasogastric tube, prepacked syringes, and sterile water. A modified coma score and drug dosage nomogram were also included in the package. Despite a considerable drop in overall mortality, problems arose with regard to the incomplete treatment of possible meningitis and in the development of a rational referral policy.
Cullinan
T R
TR
Department of Community Health, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Mangochi, Malawi.
Pieterick
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C
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016779:Malaria, Cerebral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D008295:Malawi / Q000453:epidemiology; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D019035:Rural Health Services