title: Retinopathy as a Prognostic Marker in Cerebral Malaria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the association between fundal changes (malarial retinopathy) and mortality in children with cerebral malaria.
  
  
  METHODS
  50 consecutive children (mean age 8.4 y, 23 males) with cerebral malaria (acute febrile encephalopathy and either peripheral smear or Rapid diagnostic test positive for malaria) were evaluated by a single ophthalmologist for any changes of retinopathy. Children were managed as per standard guidelines for treatment of cerebral malaria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  P. vivax infection was seen in one child, P. falciparum infection in 42 children, and a mixed infection in 7. Retinopathy was present in 48% of the children. 13 children died during hospital stay. The mean interval from admission to fundus examination was 11.6 (4.64) h. Presence of any retinopathy (P=0.02), and either of papilledema (P=0.02), hemorrhages (P=0.005) or vessel changes (P=0.01), were associated with a significantly higher risk of death.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Malarial retinopathy is significantly associated with mortality in children with cerebral malaria. It may be used for both prognostication, and triaging for optimum utilization of intensive care facilities in these children.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Pediatrics and #Ophthalmology, SS Medical College, Rewa, MP; and *Department of Pediatrics, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi. Correspondence to: Prof HP Singh, Department of Pediatrics, SS Medical College, Rewa, MP 426 001. drhpsingh1@rediffmail.com.
authors.forename: Jyoti
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Rakesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.forename: Anamika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tiwari
authors.forename: Devendra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D016779:Malaria, Cerebral / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials