Imported malaria in children in Marseilles.

Imported malaria is frequently observed in pediatric practices within geographical areas which have a migrant population. Material and methods. - All the pediatric malaria cases of a university children's hospital (Marseilles, southern France) had been studied retrospectively. The period of the study was from January 1987 to December 1997 Inclusion criteria were based on clinical diagnosis criteria established by WHO. Results. - Three hundred and fifteen clinical cases were observed. Ninety-nine percent were confirmed by blood smears. Eighty-six percent of the patients came from the archipelago of the Comoro Islands in the Indian Ocean. Twenty percent were not given chemoprophylaxis, and 77% of the patients with chemoprophylaxis were not compliant. Fever (92%), splenomegaly (61%), vomiting and/or diarrhea (50%) were frequently observed Neurological signs (23%), especially headaches (15%), were noted. The causative species was Plasmodium falciparum in 76%; coinfections with two species were observed in 98. Halofantrine was commonly used for therapy (64%), but relapses were noted with this drug. No death was observed during the study. Discussion. - Imported pediatric malaria is rare in France. Critical signs may lead to misdiagnosis when splenomegaly is not obvious, or when vomiting and/or diarrhea, cough or otitis occur Diagnosis relies on blood smears. Curative medications are chloroquine or halofantrine, with special attention to heart troubles. Mefloquine is rarely used in children. Quinine is reserved for serious attacks. Concerning chimioprophylaxy, medical prescriptions should be adapted to the stay abroad, and patient compliance to medications could be improved. (C) 1999 Elsevier; Paris.