Comparison of artesunate and quinine in the treatment of Sudanese children with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria

Sixty-six children presenting to Singa hospital, Sudan with different manifestations of severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria were randomly divided into two well-matched groups (33 in each arm) to receive either intravenous artesunate 2-4 mg/kg at 0, 12, and 24 hours, then daily, or intravenous quinine 20 mg/kg initially then 10 mg/kg three times a day. There was no significant difference in the fever, parasite clearance, and coma resolution times. Three patients died, one in the artesunate and two in the quinine groups. One patient developed hypoglycaemia following quinine infusion. Thus, artesunate can be used for the treatment of severe falciparum malaria. (C) 2010 Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.