MALARIA IN CHILDREN - EXPERIENCE FROM ASIR REGION, SAUDI-ARABIA

During a five year period, 233 cases of malaria (2.4%) were diagnosed among 9259 children with fever and hepatosplenomegaly seen in Asir Central Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia. The majority of these were below four years of age and came from Tihama, a hot, humid valley area in the Asir region. The infection was seasonal and occurred between December and May. Apart from fever, vomiting and hepatosplenomegaly, anemia was a common clinical finding; this was partly due to iron deficiency anemia, probably nutritional. Most of the cases responded to chloroquine therapy; however, three required intravenous quinine and two received Fansidar to effect eradication of the parasitemia. During the study, two patients died, one from cerebral malaria and the other from severe hemolytic anemia and hemoglobinuria. For prevention of malaria in this endemic area, an integrated program is advocated that includes the use of bednets impregnated with permethin, adequate treatment of proven cases and intensive health education on malaria control and nutrition.