title: Response to diazepam in children with malaria-induced seizures.
abstract: Malaria infection reduces the binding capacity of benzodiazepine receptors in mice. We studied the efficacy of diazepam terminating seizures in children with falciparum malaria. Diazepam stopped seizures in fewer patients with malaria parasitaemia (chi(2)=3.93, P=0.047) and those with clinical diagnosis of malaria (chi(2)=9.84, P=0.002) compared to those without. However malaria was not identified as an independent risk factor for diazepam's failure to stop seizures in children.
authors.affiliation: Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)/Welcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi, Kenya. Mikumi@kilifi.kemri-wellcome.org
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ikumi
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Muchohi
authors.forename: E O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Ohuma
authors.forename: G O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Kokwaro
authors.forename: C R J C
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Newton
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006639:Histidine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D016779:Malaria, Cerebral / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010242:Paraldehyde / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000172:deficiency / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D006639:Histidine; D003975:Diazepam; D010242:Paraldehyde