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Table 2 Markers of disease severity included in the severe malaria case definition

From: Assessment of severe malaria in a multicenter, phase III, RTS, S/AS01 malaria candidate vaccine trial: case definition, standardization of data collection and patient care

Marker of severity

Definition

Prostration

• Inability to perform a previously-acquired motor function:

 

   - Inability to stand in a child previously able to do so

 

   - Inability to sit in a child previously able to do so

 

   - Inability to suck in a very young child

Blantyre score ≤2

• Conscious level scored (0-5) using the Blantyre coma scale [27]. Determined by adding the scores for:

 

   - Best motor response (scored 0-2)

 

   - Best verbal response (scored 0-2)

 

   - Eye movement (scored 0-1)

Seizures, 2 or more

• Number of seizures occurring in the total time period including 24 h before admission, the emergency room and hospitalization

Respiratory distress

• Lower chest wall in-drawing or abnormally deep breathing

Hypoglycaemia

• Blood glucose <2.2 mmol/L

Metabolic acidosis

• Base excess ≤-10.0 mmol/L

Lactic acidaemia

• Lactate ≥5.0 mmol/L

Severe anaemia

• Haemoglobin <5.0 g/dL