title: Plasmodium falciparum malaria in infants under 5 kg: retrospective surveillance of hospital records in five sub-saharan African countries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the disease burden, clinical features, treatment and outcomes of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in neonates and infants weighing <5 kg in five sub-Saharan African countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pediatric hospital records were retrospectively reviewed for relevant cases. Details of clinical features, treatment and clinical outcomes were collected, and a descriptive analysis of data was carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The annual number of malaria cases ranged from 12 to 120 cases across hospitals and calendar years. The most frequent reason for seeking care was fever. Parasite density was low. Quinine was the most common treatment, followed by artemisinin-based combination therapy. The majority of patients recovered from their illness following treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasmodium falciparum malaria exists in this subpopulation. Further epidemiological data are needed to estimate malaria morbidity and mortality in young infants. Moreover, clinical evidence on the efficacy and safety of artemisinin-based combination therapies in this subpopulation is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Service de Pédiatrie, Hôpital de la Mère et de l'Enfant Lagune, Cotonou 01 BP 107, Bénin.
authors.forename: Maroufou J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Alao
authors.forename: Adama D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Gbadoé
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meremikwu
authors.forename: Antoinette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tshefu
authors.forename: Alfred B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Tiono
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cousin
authors.forename: Kamal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hamed
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011803:Quinine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D011803:Quinine