Post discharge Malaria Chemoprevention reduces mortality in kids with severe Anemia: NEJM
It has been observed that in areas with intense malaria transmission, 3 months of postdischarge malaria chemoprevention with monthly dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine in children who had recently received treatment for severe anemia prevented more deaths or readmissions, according to the study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Children who have been hospitalized with severe anemia in areas of Africa in which malaria is endemic have a high risk of readmission and death within 6 months after discharge. No prevention strategy specifically addresses this period.
Hence, Titus K. Kwambai and colleagues conducted a multicenter, two-group, randomized, a placebo-controlled trial in nine hospitals in Kenya and Uganda to determine whether 3 months of malaria chemoprevention could reduce morbidity and mortality after hospital discharge in children younger than 5 years of age who had been admitted with severe anemia.
All children received standard in-hospital care for severe anemia and a 3-day course of artemether-lumefantrine at discharge. A total of 1049 children underwent randomization; 524 were assigned to the chemoprevention group and 525 to the placebo group. Two weeks after discharge, children were assigned to receive dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (chemoprevention group) or placebo, administered as 3-day courses at 2, 6, and 10 weeks after discharge. Children were followed for 26 weeks after discharge.
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.