Key result
Severe Plasmodium falciparum infection in children caused an acute disease-associated QT-shortage prior to treatment (381 ms) that lengthened significantly to 405 ms after initiation of quinine therapy.
Why the study?
Does severe Plasmodium falciparum infection and quinine therapy alter the electric conduction system (QT interval) in children?
Population
180 children aged 12 to 108 months (median age 36 months, 57% male) with severe malaria in Kumasi, Ghana.
Comparison
Parenteral quinine for seven days or until able… vs Intra-individual comparison.
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
42 (±3) days
Authors
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QT changes in severe pediatric malaria appear non-arrhythmogenic; leaves open need for routine ECG monitoring.
Observational (n=180)
No
Does severe Plasmodium falciparum infection and quinine therapy alter the electric conduction system (QT interval) in children?
Absolute Event Rate: 405% vs 381%
p-value: p=<0.001
Severe P. falciparum infection causes acute disease-associated QT-shortage, particularly in young children, which is more pronounced than quinine-associated QT-prolongation, though neither leads to clinically relevant arrhythmias.
Roggelin et al. (2014) conducted an observational in Severe malaria (n=180). Quinine vs. Pre-treatment (Day 0) and healthy status (Day 42) was evaluated on Corrected QT interval (hQT) on day 1 vs day 0 (p=<0.001). Severe Plasmodium falciparum infection in children caused an acute disease-associated QT-shortage prior to treatment (381 ms) that lengthened significantly to 405 ms after initiation of quinine therapy.
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