Oral artesunate for neonatal malaria

J Trop Pediatr. 2010 Dec;56(6):452-3. doi: 10.1093/tropej/fmq007. Epub 2010 Feb 8.

Abstract

A 24-day male baby presented with a history of fever and poor feeding. The baby was pale and had hepatosplenomegaly. Peripheral blood films revealed Plasmodium vivax. Chloroquine is the drug of choice in neonatal malaria. However, our patient did not respond to chloroquine. There has been very little experience with other drugs. This case highlights the use of oral artesunate to which the baby responded. The future may see its more frequent use in resistant malaria.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antimalarials / therapeutic use*
  • Artemisinins / therapeutic use*
  • Artesunate
  • Chloroquine / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Malaria, Vivax / diagnosis
  • Malaria, Vivax / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Plasmodium vivax / drug effects*
  • Plasmodium vivax / isolation & purification
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Artemisinins
  • Artesunate
  • Chloroquine