The Malaria Burden: A South African Perspective

Table 1

Diagnostic criteria for suspected cases of malaria (adapted from the algorithm for the management of malaria in South Africa) [57].

Uncomplicated malaria	Severe malaria
Clinical signs and symptoms		Metabolic and haematological criteria
(i) Mild symptoms; (ii) Ambulant; (iii) Normal mental function; (iv) No repeated vomiting; (v) No jaundice; (vi) No features of severe malaria	(i) Cerebral malaria; (ii) Impaired consciousness; (iii) Prostration; (iv) Multiple convulsions (>two episodes in 24 hours); (v) Acidotic breathing; respiratory distress; (vi) Acute pulmonary oedema; acute respiratory distress syndrome; (vii) Circulatory collapse; shock; (viii) Anuria; (ix) Jaundice; (x) Abnormal bleeding	(i) Hypoglycaemia; (ii) Metabolic acidosis; (iii) Severe normocytic anaemia; (iv) Hyperparasitaemia; (v) Haemoglobinuria; (vi) Hyperlactatemia; (vii) Renal impairment