Related Articles Malaria in infants below six months of age: retrospective surveillance of hospital admission records in Blantyre, Malawi.

Malar J. 2009 Dec 29;8(1):310

Authors: Larru B, Molyneux E, Ter Kuile FO, Taylor T, Molyneux M, Terlouw DJ


ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Information on the burden of malaria in early infancy is scarce. Young infants are relatively protected against clinical malaria during the first six months of life due to the presence of maternal antibodies and foetal haemoglobin, and have received relatively little attention with respect to research and treatment guidelines. The World Health Organization provides treatment guidelines for children from six months onwards, without specific treatment guidelines for the younger infants. A number of recent reports however suggest that the burden in this young age group may be underestimated. METHODS: A retrospective review of paediatric hospital records at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre from 1998 to 2008 from three data sources was carried out. The number of admitted infants