Efficacy of Intrarectal Versus Intravenous Quinine for the Treatment of Childhood Cerebral Malaria

Cerebral malaria is the most lethal complication of P.falciparum infection with a mortality rate between 5 and 40%. Intravenous quinine remains the recommended treatment for cerebral malaria. However its administration is often not feasible due to lack of simple equipment or trained staff. When referral is not possible, a viable alternative is needed. The intrarectal route is of interest in children since it is painless and simple. Studies of the efficacy of intrarectal quinine in the treatment of cerebral malaria are limited. The study aims to establish the efficacy of intrarectal quinine in the treatment of childhood cerebral malaria.