Childhood cerebral malaria: Pattern of biochemical parameters and clinical outcome in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Background: The outcome of children with cerebral malaria involves an interplay of factors including clinical and biochemical parameters, a deep knowledge of these laboratory biochemical parameters is essential. Thus, this study aimed to assess the pattern of the biochemical parameters in children with cerebral malaria and how it may affect the clinical outcomes. Methods: A prospective observational cohort study among fifty subjects at the children's emergency unit. The participants were children aged 6 months to 12 years admitted with a history of fever and altered sensorium, demonstrable malaria parasite in the blood film and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis not suggestive of central nervous system (CNS) infections. Detailed history was taken with thorough examinations of each child. Samples were collected for malaria parasites, serum electrolytes, urea, creatinine, and blood glucose values. The clinical outcomes were correlated with the analyte levels. Results: 60 % of the children survived without any sequelae with the highest proportion (70 %) of survivors being children above five years. Children with hypoglycemia had a 3.5-fold higher risk of poor outcomes and this is statistically significant (RR = 3.65 p = 0.014). Hyperkalaemia was significantly associated with poor outcomes (RR = 2.57, p = 0.009). Subjects with hypochloraemia had three times the risk of poor outcome and mortality with statistically significant association (RR = 3.07, χ2 = 8.519, p = 0.004). There was a significant association between metabolic acidosis and poor clinical outcome. (RR = 1.99, χ2 = 4.089, p = 0.043). The parasite density was significantly associated with the serum bicarbonate (HCO3−) and Chloride, p-value < 0.05. Conclusion: Hypoglycaemia, hyperkalemia, hypochloremia and metabolic acidosis were significantly associated with poor outcomes, thus, good predictors of clinical outcomes in children diagnosed with cerebral malaria. Periodic evaluation and monitoring of these parameters is essential for prompt intervention to forestall devastating outcomes.