Asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia and seizure control in children with nodding syndrome; a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Plasmodium falciparum is epileptogenic and in malaria endemic areas, is a leading cause of acute seizures. In these areas, asymptomatic infections are common but considered benign and so, are not treated. The effects of such infections on seizures in patients with epilepsy is unknown. This study examined the relationship between P. falciparum infection and seizure control in children with a unique epilepsy type, the nodding syndrome.

Design

This cross-sectional study was nested in an ongoing trial 'Doxycycline for the treatment of nodding syndrome (NCT02850913)'. We hypothesised that, in patients with epilepsy, infection by P. falciparum, including asymptomatic infections, increases the risk of seizures and impairs seizure control.

Setting a

SUBMITTER: Ogwang R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6196862 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature