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Clark DJ, Bond C, Andrews A, Muller DJ, Sarkisian A, Opoka RO, Idro R, Bangirana P, Witten A, Sausen NJ, Birbeck GL, John CC, Postels DG. Admission Clinical and EEG Features Associated With Mortality and Long-term Neurologic and Cognitive Outcomes in Pediatric Cerebral Malaria. Neurology 2023; 101:e1307-e1318. [PMID: 37541845 PMCID: PMC10558167 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000207657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES For children with cerebral malaria, mortality is high, and in survivors, long-term neurologic and cognitive dysfunctions are common. While specific clinical factors are associated with death or long-term neurocognitive morbidity in cerebral malaria, the association of EEG features with these outcomes, particularly neurocognitive outcomes, is less well characterized. METHODS In this prospective cohort study of 149 children age 6 months to 12 years who survived cerebral malaria in Kampala, Uganda, we evaluated whether depth of coma, number of clinical seizures, or EEG features during hospitalization were associated with mortality during hospitalization, short-term and long-term neurologic deficits, or long-term cognitive outcomes (overall cognition, attention, memory) over the 2-year follow-up. RESULTS Higher Blantyre or Glasgow Coma Scores (BCS and GCS, respectively), higher background voltage, and presence of normal reactivity on EEG were each associated with lower mortality. Among clinical and EEG features, the presence of >4 seizures on admission had the best combination of negative and positive predictive values for neurologic deficits in follow-up. In multivariable modeling of cognitive outcomes, the number of seizures and specific EEG features showed independent association with better outcomes. In children younger than 5 years throughout the study, seizure number and presence of vertex sharp waves were independently associated with better posthospitalization cognitive performance, faster dominant frequency with better attention, and higher average background voltage and faster dominant background frequency with better associative memory. In children younger than 5 years at CM episode but 5 years or older at cognitive testing, seizure number, background dominant frequency, and the presence of vertex sharp waves were each associated with changes in cognition, seizure number and variability with attention, and seizure number with working memory. DISCUSSION In children with cerebral malaria, seizure number is strongly associated with the risk of long-term neurologic deficits, while seizure number and specific EEG features (average background voltage, dominant rhythm frequency, presence of vertex sharp waves, presence of variability) are independently associated with cognitive outcomes. Future studies should evaluate the predictive value of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Clark
- From the Division of Neurology (D.J.C.), Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH; Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Diseases & Global Health (C.B., C.C.J.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (A.A.), MedStar Georgetown University Hospital; The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (D.J.M., A.S., D.G.P.), Washington, DC; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (R.O.O., R.I.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences; Department of Psychiatry (P.B.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda; Department of Neurosurgery (A.W.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (N.J.S.), Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), University of Rochester, NY; University of Zambia (G.L.B.), School of Medicine, Lusaka; University Teaching Hospitals Children's Hospital (G.L.B.), Lusaka, Zambia; Children's National Medical Center (D.G.P.), Washington, DC; and Blantyre Malaria Project (D.G.P.), Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi.
| | - Caitlin Bond
- From the Division of Neurology (D.J.C.), Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH; Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Diseases & Global Health (C.B., C.C.J.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (A.A.), MedStar Georgetown University Hospital; The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (D.J.M., A.S., D.G.P.), Washington, DC; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (R.O.O., R.I.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences; Department of Psychiatry (P.B.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda; Department of Neurosurgery (A.W.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (N.J.S.), Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), University of Rochester, NY; University of Zambia (G.L.B.), School of Medicine, Lusaka; University Teaching Hospitals Children's Hospital (G.L.B.), Lusaka, Zambia; Children's National Medical Center (D.G.P.), Washington, DC; and Blantyre Malaria Project (D.G.P.), Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Alexander Andrews
- From the Division of Neurology (D.J.C.), Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH; Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Diseases & Global Health (C.B., C.C.J.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (A.A.), MedStar Georgetown University Hospital; The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (D.J.M., A.S., D.G.P.), Washington, DC; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (R.O.O., R.I.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences; Department of Psychiatry (P.B.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda; Department of Neurosurgery (A.W.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (N.J.S.), Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), University of Rochester, NY; University of Zambia (G.L.B.), School of Medicine, Lusaka; University Teaching Hospitals Children's Hospital (G.L.B.), Lusaka, Zambia; Children's National Medical Center (D.G.P.), Washington, DC; and Blantyre Malaria Project (D.G.P.), Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Daniel J Muller
- From the Division of Neurology (D.J.C.), Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH; Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Diseases & Global Health (C.B., C.C.J.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (A.A.), MedStar Georgetown University Hospital; The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (D.J.M., A.S., D.G.P.), Washington, DC; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (R.O.O., R.I.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences; Department of Psychiatry (P.B.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda; Department of Neurosurgery (A.W.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (N.J.S.), Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), University of Rochester, NY; University of Zambia (G.L.B.), School of Medicine, Lusaka; University Teaching Hospitals Children's Hospital (G.L.B.), Lusaka, Zambia; Children's National Medical Center (D.G.P.), Washington, DC; and Blantyre Malaria Project (D.G.P.), Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Angela Sarkisian
- From the Division of Neurology (D.J.C.), Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH; Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Diseases & Global Health (C.B., C.C.J.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (A.A.), MedStar Georgetown University Hospital; The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (D.J.M., A.S., D.G.P.), Washington, DC; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (R.O.O., R.I.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences; Department of Psychiatry (P.B.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda; Department of Neurosurgery (A.W.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (N.J.S.), Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), University of Rochester, NY; University of Zambia (G.L.B.), School of Medicine, Lusaka; University Teaching Hospitals Children's Hospital (G.L.B.), Lusaka, Zambia; Children's National Medical Center (D.G.P.), Washington, DC; and Blantyre Malaria Project (D.G.P.), Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Robert O Opoka
- From the Division of Neurology (D.J.C.), Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH; Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Diseases & Global Health (C.B., C.C.J.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (A.A.), MedStar Georgetown University Hospital; The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (D.J.M., A.S., D.G.P.), Washington, DC; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (R.O.O., R.I.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences; Department of Psychiatry (P.B.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda; Department of Neurosurgery (A.W.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (N.J.S.), Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), University of Rochester, NY; University of Zambia (G.L.B.), School of Medicine, Lusaka; University Teaching Hospitals Children's Hospital (G.L.B.), Lusaka, Zambia; Children's National Medical Center (D.G.P.), Washington, DC; and Blantyre Malaria Project (D.G.P.), Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Richard Idro
- From the Division of Neurology (D.J.C.), Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH; Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Diseases & Global Health (C.B., C.C.J.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (A.A.), MedStar Georgetown University Hospital; The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (D.J.M., A.S., D.G.P.), Washington, DC; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (R.O.O., R.I.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences; Department of Psychiatry (P.B.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda; Department of Neurosurgery (A.W.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (N.J.S.), Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), University of Rochester, NY; University of Zambia (G.L.B.), School of Medicine, Lusaka; University Teaching Hospitals Children's Hospital (G.L.B.), Lusaka, Zambia; Children's National Medical Center (D.G.P.), Washington, DC; and Blantyre Malaria Project (D.G.P.), Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Paul Bangirana
- From the Division of Neurology (D.J.C.), Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH; Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Diseases & Global Health (C.B., C.C.J.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (A.A.), MedStar Georgetown University Hospital; The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (D.J.M., A.S., D.G.P.), Washington, DC; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (R.O.O., R.I.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences; Department of Psychiatry (P.B.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda; Department of Neurosurgery (A.W.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (N.J.S.), Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), University of Rochester, NY; University of Zambia (G.L.B.), School of Medicine, Lusaka; University Teaching Hospitals Children's Hospital (G.L.B.), Lusaka, Zambia; Children's National Medical Center (D.G.P.), Washington, DC; and Blantyre Malaria Project (D.G.P.), Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Andy Witten
- From the Division of Neurology (D.J.C.), Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH; Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Diseases & Global Health (C.B., C.C.J.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (A.A.), MedStar Georgetown University Hospital; The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (D.J.M., A.S., D.G.P.), Washington, DC; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (R.O.O., R.I.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences; Department of Psychiatry (P.B.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda; Department of Neurosurgery (A.W.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (N.J.S.), Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), University of Rochester, NY; University of Zambia (G.L.B.), School of Medicine, Lusaka; University Teaching Hospitals Children's Hospital (G.L.B.), Lusaka, Zambia; Children's National Medical Center (D.G.P.), Washington, DC; and Blantyre Malaria Project (D.G.P.), Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Nicholas J Sausen
- From the Division of Neurology (D.J.C.), Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH; Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Diseases & Global Health (C.B., C.C.J.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (A.A.), MedStar Georgetown University Hospital; The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (D.J.M., A.S., D.G.P.), Washington, DC; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (R.O.O., R.I.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences; Department of Psychiatry (P.B.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda; Department of Neurosurgery (A.W.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (N.J.S.), Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), University of Rochester, NY; University of Zambia (G.L.B.), School of Medicine, Lusaka; University Teaching Hospitals Children's Hospital (G.L.B.), Lusaka, Zambia; Children's National Medical Center (D.G.P.), Washington, DC; and Blantyre Malaria Project (D.G.P.), Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Gretchen L Birbeck
- From the Division of Neurology (D.J.C.), Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH; Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Diseases & Global Health (C.B., C.C.J.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (A.A.), MedStar Georgetown University Hospital; The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (D.J.M., A.S., D.G.P.), Washington, DC; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (R.O.O., R.I.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences; Department of Psychiatry (P.B.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda; Department of Neurosurgery (A.W.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (N.J.S.), Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), University of Rochester, NY; University of Zambia (G.L.B.), School of Medicine, Lusaka; University Teaching Hospitals Children's Hospital (G.L.B.), Lusaka, Zambia; Children's National Medical Center (D.G.P.), Washington, DC; and Blantyre Malaria Project (D.G.P.), Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Chandy C John
- From the Division of Neurology (D.J.C.), Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH; Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Diseases & Global Health (C.B., C.C.J.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (A.A.), MedStar Georgetown University Hospital; The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (D.J.M., A.S., D.G.P.), Washington, DC; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (R.O.O., R.I.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences; Department of Psychiatry (P.B.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda; Department of Neurosurgery (A.W.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (N.J.S.), Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), University of Rochester, NY; University of Zambia (G.L.B.), School of Medicine, Lusaka; University Teaching Hospitals Children's Hospital (G.L.B.), Lusaka, Zambia; Children's National Medical Center (D.G.P.), Washington, DC; and Blantyre Malaria Project (D.G.P.), Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Douglas G Postels
- From the Division of Neurology (D.J.C.), Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH; Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Diseases & Global Health (C.B., C.C.J.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (A.A.), MedStar Georgetown University Hospital; The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (D.J.M., A.S., D.G.P.), Washington, DC; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (R.O.O., R.I.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences; Department of Psychiatry (P.B.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda; Department of Neurosurgery (A.W.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Pediatrics (N.J.S.), Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), University of Rochester, NY; University of Zambia (G.L.B.), School of Medicine, Lusaka; University Teaching Hospitals Children's Hospital (G.L.B.), Lusaka, Zambia; Children's National Medical Center (D.G.P.), Washington, DC; and Blantyre Malaria Project (D.G.P.), Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
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Ssemata AS, Nakitende AJ, Kizito S, Thomas MR, Islam S, Bangirana P, Nakasujja N, Yang Z, Yu Y, Tran TM, John CC, McHenry MS. Association of severe malaria with cognitive and behavioural outcomes in low- and middle-income countries: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Malar J 2023; 22:227. [PMID: 37537555 PMCID: PMC10401769 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04653-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria affects 24 million children globally, resulting in nearly 500,000 child deaths annually in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Recent studies have provided evidence that severe malaria infection results in sustained impairment in cognition and behaviour among young children; however, a formal meta-analysis has not been published. The objective was to assess the association between severe malaria infection with cognitive and behavioural outcomes among children living in LMICs. METHODS Six online bibliographic databases were searched and reviewed in November 2022. Studies included involved children < 18 years of age living in LMICs with active or past severe malaria infection and measured cognitive and/or behaviour outcomes. The quality of studies was assessed. Definitions of severe malaria included cerebral malaria, severe malarial anaemia, and author-defined severe malaria. Results from all studies were qualitatively summarized. For studies with relevant data on attention, learning, memory, language, internalizing behaviour and externalizing behaviour, results were pooled and a meta-analysis was performed. A random-effects model was used across included cohorts, yielding a standardized mean difference between the severe malaria group and control group. RESULTS Out of 3,803 initial records meeting the search criteria, 24 studies were included in the review, with data from 14 studies eligible for meta-analysis inclusion. Studies across sub-Saharan Africa assessed 11 cohorts of children from pre-school to school age. Of all the studies, composite measures of cognition were the most affected areas of development. Overall, attention, memory, and behavioural problems were domains most commonly found to have lower scores in children with severe malaria. Meta-analysis revealed that children with severe malaria had worse scores compared to children without malaria in attention (standardized mean difference (SMD) -0.68, 95% CI -1.26 to -0.10), memory (SMD -0.52, 95% CI -0.99 to -0.06), and externalizing behavioural problems (SMD 0.45, 95% CI 0.13-0.78). CONCLUSION Severe malaria is associated with worse neuropsychological outcomes for children living in LMICs, specifically in attention, memory, and externalizing behaviours. More research is needed to identify the long-term implications of these findings. Further interventions are needed to prevent cognitive and behavioural problems after severe malaria infection. TRIAL REGISTRATION This systematic review was registered under PROSPERO: CRD42020154777.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Sentoogo Ssemata
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | | | - Simon Kizito
- Department of Mental Health and Community Psychology, School of Psychology, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Melissa R Thomas
- Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, USA
| | - Sumaiya Islam
- School of Medicine, City University of New York (CUNY), New York City, USA
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York City, USA
| | - Paul Bangirana
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
- Global Health Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Noeline Nakasujja
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ziyi Yang
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, USA
| | - Yunpeng Yu
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, USA
| | - Tuan M Tran
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Chandy C John
- Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Disease and Global Health, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Megan S McHenry
- Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Disease and Global Health, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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