title: Changes in laboratory features of 192 children with imported falciparum malaria treated with quinine.
abstract: Little is known about changes in laboratory values of children with imported falciparum malaria. Of 192 children, 69% had parasitemia of 2% or less and 64% had platelets <150 x 10/L. In 20%, parasite counts rose within 12-24 hours of starting treatment before falling, whereas the platelet counts dropped in 45% but returned to normal levels within 5 days. Hemoglobin values were <10 g/dL in 31% at presentation and dropped in 61% at 5-21 days after treatment, but did not fall below 6.8 g/dL in any case. Blood cultures were negative in all children. Hyponatremia (n = 16), jaundice (n = 4) and hypoglycemia (n = 0) were uncommon. Thus most children presented with abnormal laboratory values, which initially worsened in a significant proportion, but none required active intervention once therapy was initiated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Newham General Hospital, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, East London, United Kingdom. DrShamez@aol.com
authors.forename: Shamez
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ladhani
authors.forename: Vidya S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Haitham
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: El Bashir
authors.forename: Delane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shingadia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D010976:Platelet Count; D011803:Quinine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014195:Travel; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D006454:Hemoglobins; D011803:Quinine