A Case Presentation of Severe Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria in an 8-Year-Old Boy

Document Type : case report

Authors

1 Clinical Research Development Unit of Akbar Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

2 Infection Control and Hand Hygiene Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium species, with Plasmodium falciparum being the most virulent form. Cerebral malaria is a severe complication that can lead to various neurological manifestations. We report the case of an 8-year-old boy who presented with an unusual symptom of cerebral malaria—spastic gait. Diagnostic workup included a positive malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and peripheral blood smear (PBS), confirming P.falciparum infection. Brain MRI revealed high signal intensities in the bilateral globus pallidus, consistent with cerebral involvement. The patient received intravenous Artesunate and a combination of antimalarial medications including Coartem, Primaquine, Quinine, and Clindamycin. He showed significant clinical improvement following treatment. This case highlights a rare neurological presentation of cerebral malaria and emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Additionally, it underscores the value of neuroimaging, particularly MRI, in confirming cerebral involvement in atypical clinical presentations.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Pediatric Perspectives
Volume 13, Issue 4
April 2025
Pages 19430-19435

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