Benefits of Artesunate versus Quinine in the Treatment of Children with Severe Malaria at the National University Teaching Hospital of Cotonou ()
Affiliation(s)
1Pediatric Unit, Oueme/Plateau Regional University Teaching Hospital (CHUD O/P), Porto Novo, Benin.
2Pediatric Unit, National University Teaching Hospital (CNHU-HK), Cotonou, Bénin.
3Mother and Child Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Severe malaria is one of the leading causes of death in Sub-Saharan
African countries, and artesunate is recommended as a first-line treatment by
the Word Heath Organization (WHO.). Objective: Identify the advantages
of artesunate compared with quinine in the treatment of severe malaria in
children. Methods and patients: This study was a cross-sectional, descriptive
and analytical study focused on children hospitalized for severe malaria in the
CNHU who were treated with quinine or artesunate. Findings: The
hospital-based frequency rate of severe malaria in pediatric patients was
estimated to be 28.3% (n = 848). One hundred five children were treated with
artesunate, and 743 were treated with quinine. The mean age of the children was
47 months old. The primary signs of severity were anemia (n = 776),
neurological manifestations (n = 309) and hemolysis (n = 137). The average
duration of treatment was 1.95 days for artesunate versus 2.45 days for quinine,
and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.001). The average length of stay (ALOS) in the hospital was 5 days for the
artesunate group versus 5.75 days for the quinine group, and the difference was
statistically significant (p < 0.001).
Six of the children who received artesunate died, whereas 24 children who
treated with quinine died. The total average cost of healthcare was 50,600 FCFA
(77 euros) per child treated with artesunate versus 57,100 FCFA (87 euros) per
child treated with quinine. Conclusion: The treatment of severe malaria
with artesunate is superior to quinine-based treatment.
Share and Cite:
Sagbo, G. , Zohoun, L. , Bognon, G. , Agossou, J. , Padonou, C. , Tohodjèdé, Y. , Alihonou, F. and Ayivi, B. (2017) Benefits of Artesunate versus Quinine in the Treatment of Children with Severe Malaria at the National University Teaching Hospital of Cotonou.
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
7, 156-163. doi:
10.4236/ojped.2017.73019.