In this article, we will discuss the WHO Criteria for Severe Cerebral Malaria (falciparum malaria). So, let’s get started.
WHO Criteria for Severe Cerebral Malaria (falciparum malaria)
- Cerebral malaria (unexplained unarousable coma)
- Severe anemia (Hb <5 g/dl or hematocrit <15%)
- Renal failure (oliguria-urine output <400 ml/day or <12 ml/kg/day plus serum creatinine >3 mg/dl or 265 μmol/L)
- Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema (ARDS*, hypoxemia, respiratory failure)
- Hypoglycemia (whole blood glucose <40 mg/dl or 2.2 mmol/L)
- Circulatory collapse (systolic BP <70 mmHg with cold clammy extremities)
- Spontaneous bleeding, DIC** (prolonged PT***, PTT***), and thrombocytopenia
- Repeated generalized convulsions (>3 in 24 hours)
- Acidemia (arterial pH <7.25) or acidosis (plasma bicarbonate <15 mmol/L)
- Hemoglobinuria (not drug-induced)
- Jaundice (icterus or serum bilirubin >3 mg/dl)
- Hyperparasitemia (>5% in non-immune patients or >10,000/ml)
Some important medical abbreviations
- *ARDS: Acute respiratory distress syndrome
- **DIC: Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
- ***PT: Prothrombin time
- ****PTT: Partial thromboplastin time