title: Hematologic parameters in pediatric uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in sub-Saharan Africa.
abstract: Hematologic changes in acute and convalescent uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria have not been well studied, particularly in young children in Africa. Hematologic data were obtained for 3,044 children less than five years of age in seven randomized controlled trials at 14 sites. Using paired analysis between day 28 and baseline in patients without parasitologic failure as a proxy for malaria-induced effects, we found a statistically significant but clinically modest increase in leukocyte counts (5%) resulting from a larger increase in neutrophils (43%) than the decrease in lymphocytes counts (-16%); levels of hemoglobin and platelets decreased (-13% and -49%, respectively). Multivariate random effects analysis showed trends during follow-up (increased levels of hemoglobin, platelets and lymphocytes, and decreased levels of leukocytes and neutrophils) and identified explanatory variables. The risk of neutropenia increased with follow-up time independent of treatment outcome, and was lower with age, higher baseline parasitemia, and artemisinin combination treatment. These analyses provides information on hematologic variations caused by malaria.
authors: United Nations Children's Fund/United Nations Development Program/World Bank/World Health Organization Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, Geneva, Switzerland. olliarop@who.int
authors: Piero
authors: P
authors: Olliaro
authors: Abdoulaye
authors: A
authors: Djimdé
authors: Grant
authors: G
authors: Dorsey
authors: Corine
authors: C
authors: Karema
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Mårtensson
authors: Jean-Louis
authors: JL
authors: Ndiaye
authors: Sodiomon B
authors: SB
authors: Sirima
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Vaillant
authors: Julien
authors: J
authors: Zwang
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000097:blood*