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Retinal changes can help diagnose cerebral malaria in children
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Doctors may be able to diagnose cerebral malaria in unconscious children by examining changes in the retina, according to a recent study.
The findings are particular important for African children, many of whom may have an incidental malaria infection simultaneously with another life-threatening illness. This can lead to misdiagnoses in unconscious children, according to a press release from the Wellcome Trust, a charity that funds health care research.
Nicholas A. Beare, FRCOphth, of St. Paul's Eye Unit in Liverpool, England, and colleagues determined that certain retinal changes were the only clinical sign that could distinguish between patients who died from cerebral malaria and those who died from another cause.
The changes, known as malarial retinopathy, include white, opaque patches and whitening of infected blood vessels, which can be viewed using an ophthalmoscope, according to the release.
"Our research demonstrates that the detection of malarial retinopathy is a much needed diagnostic tool in cerebral malaria and can identify those children at most risk of death. Diagnosis requires special training in eye examination but is relatively straightforward and cost effective, which is essential in resource-poor settings such as Africa," Dr. Beare said in the release.
The study will be published in the November issue of the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.