Treatment of children with Plasmodium falciparum malaria with chloroquine in Guinea-Bissau.

Poul-Erik Kofoed Projecto de Saúde de Bandim, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. PKO@KS.VejleAmt.dk

Search for other papers by Poul-Erik Kofoed in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Francisco Lopez Projecto de Saúde de Bandim, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. PKO@KS.VejleAmt.dk

Search for other papers by Francisco Lopez in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Peter Johansson Projecto de Saúde de Bandim, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. PKO@KS.VejleAmt.dk

Search for other papers by Peter Johansson in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Anita Sandström Projecto de Saúde de Bandim, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. PKO@KS.VejleAmt.dk

Search for other papers by Anita Sandström in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Kathryn Hedegaard Projecto de Saúde de Bandim, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. PKO@KS.VejleAmt.dk

Search for other papers by Kathryn Hedegaard in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Peter Aaby Projecto de Saúde de Bandim, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. PKO@KS.VejleAmt.dk

Search for other papers by Peter Aaby in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
, and
Lars Rombo Projecto de Saúde de Bandim, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. PKO@KS.VejleAmt.dk

Search for other papers by Lars Rombo in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.2002.67.28
Volume/Issue:
Volume 67: Issue 1
Page(s):
28–31
Restricted access
Get Permissions

Children with symptomatic malaria in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau were randomly assigned to treatment with a 25 mg/kg total dose of chloroquine as recommended by the National Malaria Program or with a higher total dose of 50 mg/kg. Sixty-seven and 62 children, respectively, completed the treatment and were then followed once a week for five weeks. Treatment with a dose of 50 mg/kg was significantly more effective than treatment with 25 mg/kg in preventing recrudescence. The cumulative relative risk (95% confidence interval) of having parasitemia in the low-dose group during follow-up was 0.20 (0.08-0.52) on day 21, 0.38 (0.17-0.86) on day 28, and 0.48 (0.23-0.98) on day 35. Few adverse events were reported, although more children complained of vomiting and diarrhea on day 2 in the high-dose group compared with those in the low-dose group. However, this difference was not statistically significant. We conclude that a dose of 50 mg/kg of chloroquine could be recommended for treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Bissau. To minimize the risk of side effects, this higher dose should be given divided into two daily doses over a three-day period.

Author Notes

Published Online:
Jul 2002
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637
Past two years Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 1251 1194 12
Full Text Views 278 6 2
PDF Downloads 62 6 0
 

 

 

 
 
Affiliate Membership Banner
 
 
Research for Health Information Banner
 
 
CLOCKSS
 
 
 
Society Publishers Coalition Banner
Save