Pediatric Malaria: Global and North American Perspectives

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2022 Feb;69(1):47-64. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2021.08.008.

Abstract

Malaria is a leading cause of death in children less than 5 years of age globally, and a common cause of fever in the returning North American traveler. New tools in the fight against malaria have been developed over the past decades: potent artemisinin derivatives; rapid diagnostic tests; long-lasting insecticidal bed nets; and a new vaccine, RTS,S/AS01. Thwarting these advances, parasite and Anopheles vector resistance are emerging. In the meantime, clinicians will continue to see malaria among febrile travelers from the tropics. Early recognition, diagnosis, and treatment can be lifesaving, but rely on the vigilance of frontline clinicians.

Keywords: Artemether-lumefantrine; Artesunate; Children; Malaria; North America.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / epidemiology
  • Anemia / epidemiology
  • Antimalarials / therapeutic use
  • Artemether, Lumefantrine Drug Combination / therapeutic use
  • Artemisinins / therapeutic use
  • Artesunate / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Global Health*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Malaria / diagnosis
  • Malaria / drug therapy*
  • Malaria / epidemiology*
  • Malaria / prevention & control
  • Male
  • North America
  • Plasmodium / isolation & purification
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Travel

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Artemether, Lumefantrine Drug Combination
  • Artemisinins
  • Artesunate
  • artemisinin