PMID: 9431762Aug 1, 1997Paper

The pattern of neurological sequelae of childhood cerebral malaria among survivors in Calabar, Nigeria

The Central African Journal of Medicine
M M MeremikwuE Ezedinachi

Abstract

To determine the pattern and long term outcome of neurological complications following cerebral malaria (CM) in a group of Nigerian children treated in Calabar. Prospective, follow up study. Children's emergency room (CHER) of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) located in a malaria-holoendemic rainforest belt of south eastern Nigeria. Survivors among 45 children with CM treated between February and December, 1991. All received intravenous quinine infusion and supportive care. Survivors (39) were followed up until detected neurological sequelae had resolved. Case fatality rate was 13.3%, 95% CI. Eleven (28.2%) of the survivors developed neurological sequelae. Prolonged coma, focal seizures and abnormal posturing (decorticate/decerebrate) were associated with increased risk of sequelae. Commonest neurological sequelae were cortical blindness (3/11), speech disorders (3/11: aphasia or echolalia) and motor abnormalities (5/11: dyskinesia/hemiplegia). Eight cases recovered completely from the neurological deficits within a mean period of three (1.3) weeks. One persisted with hyperactivity and attention deficit, had a remarkable improvement at the sixth month of follow up but developed secondary dyslexia and other lea...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Antimalarial Agents

Antimalarial agents, also known as antimalarials, are designed to prevent or cure malaria. Discover the latest research on antimalarial agents here.

Antimalarial Agents (ASM)

Antimalarial agents, also known as antimalarials, are designed to prevent or cure malaria. Discover the latest research on antimalarial agents here.

Attention Disorders

Attention is involved in all cognitive activities, and attention disorders are reported in patients with various neurological diseases. Here are the latest discoveries pertaining to attention disorders.

Related Papers

Nigerian Journal of Medicine : Journal of the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria
Onyecherellam M OgelleNworah J Obiechina
Nigerian Journal of Medicine : Journal of the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria
E J PetersC C Ayanechi
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved