Published online September 15, 2005
PEDIATRICS Vol. 116 No. 4 October 2005, pp. e592-e595 (doi:10.1542/peds.2005-0314)
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ELECTRONIC ARTICLE

Red Blood Cell Exchange Transfusion as an Adjunct Treatment for Severe Pediatric Falciparum Malaria, Using Automated or Manual Procedures

Fouad N. Boctor, MD, PhD

From the Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama

Pediatric falciparum malaria is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Cerebral malaria and renal failure are common among children with a high percentage of malaria-infected red blood cells. We report 3 cases of imported pediatric falciparum malaria with central nervous system involvement and/or renal failure that were treated initially with intravenous antimalarial therapy, with no clinical improvement. Red blood cell exchange transfusion (RBCET) was started; this resulted in decreases in the percentages of parasitized red blood cells of 80% to 90%. The RBCET was performed with either an automated 1-blood volume or manual 1.5-blood volume exchange. Most cases of falciparum malaria can be treated with intravenously administered antimalarial agents alone. However, for children who have high percentages of parasitized red blood cells with central nervous system involvement and/or renal failure, the use of RBCET as an adjunct treatment should be considered.

Key Words: cerebral malaria • imported tropical diseases • red blood cell exchange

Abbreviations: RBCET, red blood cell exchange transfusion • LDH, lactate dehydrogenase

Accepted May 2, 2005.


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