P.Falciparum Malaria, Non-Severe, Uncomplicated
Description Medicine treatment ICD-10 code: B50.9 DESCRIPTION A child with uncomplicated malaria is alert, can tolerate oral medication, has an age-appropriate level of consciousness and has no clinical or laboratory evidence of severe malaria. Ideally, treatment should be started in hospital. Initial doses should be directly observed. Observe for 1 hour to ensure dose is not vomited. MEDIC
ICD-10 code: B50.9
DESCRIPTION
A child with uncomplicated malaria is alert, can tolerate oral medication, has an age-appropriate level of consciousness and has no clinical or laboratory evidence of severe malaria.
Ideally, treatment should be started in hospital. Initial doses should be directly observed. Observe for 1 hour to ensure dose is not vomited.
MEDICINE TREATMENT
Treat according to the National Malaria Guidelines.
Option 1:
Only for clearly uncomplicated, low risk malaria cases (> 5 kg):
- Artemether/lumefantrine 20/120 mg, oral, with fat-containing food/milk to ensure adequate absorption.
- Give first dose immediately.
- Follow with second dose 8 hours later.
- Then 12 hourly for another 2 days (total number of doses in 3 days = 6).
| Weight | Dose | Total tablets per course |
| 5–≤ 15 kg | 1 tablet | 6 |
| 15–≤ 25 k | 2 tablets | 12 |
| 25–≤ 35 kg | 3 tablets | 18 |
| > 35 kg | 4 tablets | 24 |
OR
Option 2:
Manage children < 5 kg with uncomplicated malaria with quinine plus clindamycin:
- Quinine, oral, 10 mg/kg/dose 8 hourly for 7–10 days.
2–3 days after initiating treatment with quinine:
- Clindamycin, oral, 10 mg/kg/dose 12 hourly for 7 days.
Children who are vomiting but who have no other indications of severe malaria:
Children ≥ 20 kg:
- Artesunate, IM or IV, 2.4 mg/kg at hours 0, 12 and 24, then daily until patient is able to tolerate oral treatment.
Children < 20 kg:
- Artesunate, IM or IV, 3 mg/kg at hours 0, 12 and 24, then daily until patient is able to tolerate oral treatment.
Click here for Erratum-3. Reference: 2024/07/EDP/01.
Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa Paediatric Hospital _2023, 5th edition_Updated July 2024
Chapter 8: Infective/Infectious Diseases,
8.9.1 P. Falciparum Malaria, Non-severe, Uncomplicated