Table 1 Severity criteria for severe malaria

Loss of consciousness or profound coma

Haemoglobinuria

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

Hypoglycaemia (<60 mg/dL)

Inability to feed oneself

Metabolic acidosis (plasmatic bicarbonate <15 mmol/L)

Multiple seizures; more than 1 episode in 24 h

Hyperlactaemia (lactate acid <5 mmol/L)

Respiratory distress syndrome

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

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

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

Clinical jaundice with signs of vital organ failure

Thrombocytopaenia (<50,000 mm³)

Spontaneous haemorrhage

Elevated transaminase (>80 IU)*

Pulmonary oedema evidenced through radiography

Elevated total bilirubin (>1.5 mg/dL)

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