Clinical analysis of 65 baby and infant cases with Plasmodium falciparum malaria

Objective To discuss the clinical features,diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in babies and infancts in Africa.Methods A retrospective analysis of 65 confirmed baby and infant falciparum malaria cases(including 19 severe cerebral malaria cases) in Africa.Results Plasmodium falciparum were detected from smears of 65 baby and infant falciparum malaria cases.Clinical manifestations were fever(100%),vomiting in 32 cases(49.2%),diarrhea in 23 cases(36.9%),cough in 27 cases(41.5%),convulsions in 12 cases(18.5%),disturbance of consciousness in 19 cases(29.1%),anemia in 52 cases(80.0%),splenomegaly in 46 cases(71.6%),hepatomegaly in 41 cases(63.1%),meningeal thorn Forward levy in 19 cases(29.l%).Sixty patients cured after treated wth artesunate and 5 cases died.Conclusion The clinical manifestations of baby and infants falciparum malaria were complicated and atypical,early diagnosis and treatment is essential for improvement of the prognosis;Artesunate is a safe and effective drug of choice for treatment falciparum malaria.