Cerebral malaria in children. Comparative study between heparin, dexamethasone and placebo.

From January 1987 up to April 1990, sixty two patients diagnosed as cerebral malaria were admitted to the Department of Child Health, Medical School Sam Ratulangi University, Gunung Wenang General Hospital were included in this study. They were treated with quinine dihydrochloride intravenously continued orally for a total of 7 days combined with fansidar by nasogastric tube for 2 days. All patients were also receiving intravenous fluid drips and other symptomatic treatment. They were divided into three groups. Group I received heparin 300 u/kg body weight intramuscularly once daily for 3 consecutive days; group II received dexamethasone 0.5 mg/kg body weight intravenously, three times daily for three consecutive days; group III didn't receive dexamethasone nor heparin. The mortality rate of the three group combined was 1 out of 21 patients (1.61%). In group I, all 21 patients were alive. One out of 21 patients of group II died (4.76%). In group III, all 20 patients were alive. The average period of regaining consciousness was 1.45 days in group I, 2.85 days in group II and 2.76 days in group III. There was a significant difference between group I and II, and also between group I and III. The average duration of fever was 2.60 days in group I, 2.40 days in group II and 3.69 days in group III. There was a significant difference between group I and III and also between group II and III. The average hospitalization days was 8.0 days in group I, 11.1 days in group II and 10.5 days in group III.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)