Table 1 Criteria used to define severe malaria cases according to national guidelines

1. Loss of consciousness or profound coma

1. Haemoglobinuria

2. Prostration; extreme weakness with inability to walk or sit without assistance

2. Hypoglycaemia (<60 mg/dl)

3. Inability to feed oneself

3. Metabolic acidosis (plasmatic bicarbonate <15 mmol/L)

4. Multiple seizures; more than 1 episode in 24 hours

4. Hyperlactaemia (lactate acid <5 mmol/L)

5. Respiratory distress syndrome

5. Severe anaemia (haemoglobin <7 g/dL, haematocrit <21%)

6. Circulatory collapse/shock; systolic arterial pressure <80 mmHg in adults and <50 mmHg in children

6. Hyperparasitaemia (>50,000 asexual parasites/uL) with the diagnosis of P. falciparum, or mixed infection with P. vivax

7. Clinical jaundice with signs of vital organ failure

7. Thrombocytopaenia (<50,000 mm³)

8. Spontaneous haemorrhage

8. Elevated transaminase (>80 IU)

9. Pulmonary oedema evidenced through radiography

9. Elevated total bilirubin (>1.5 mg/dL)

10. Renal insufficiency (serum creatinine level >1.5 mg/dL)