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cerebral malaria falciparum malaria malaria Physiotherapy

WHO Criteria for Severe Cerebral Malaria (falciparum malaria)

In this article, we will discuss the WHO Criteria for Severe Cerebral Malaria (falciparum malaria).

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

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