Malaria importada en la población pediátrica en Alicante, España (1994-2019)

Abstract

Introduction: In recent years there has been an increase in imported malaria in children, in which it is a potentially serious and fatal disease. Objective: To describe the clinical-epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic characteristics of a series of cases of imported childhood malaria. Material and methods: Observational and retrospective study of malaria cases in children under 15 years of age diagnosed at the General University Hospital of Alicante from 1994 to 2019. Results: 24 cases were registered. The number of cases went from 2 in the first five years to 11 in the last. Median age was 6 years (interquatile range: 3-8). 91.6% came from Sub-Saharan Africa. Children born in Spain to immigrant parents who travel to an endemic area to visit family and friends (visiting friends and relatives: VFR) represented 62.5% (n = 15) and only one patient (6.7%) has received antimalarial chemoprophylaxis. The most frequent clinical signs were fever (86.9%), hepatosplenomegaly (70.8%) and anemia (70.8%). Plasmodium falciparum was the most frequently identified species (83.3%, n = 20). The most used treatment was oral dihydroartemisin-piperaquine (41.6%, n = 10), with a favorable evolution in all cases. Conclusions: Imported infant malaria cases are increasing in recent years. These children have a nonspecific clinic. It is important that professionals are aware of this disease and have a high index of suspicion to initiate early treatment, as well as that adequate preventive measures are taken before the trip.