Diagnosis and management of malaria in children: Recommendations and IAP plan of action

The problem of malaria is further exacerbated by development of resistance to first line antimalarial chloroquine (CQ). This is mainly due to presumptive use of CQ with increase drug pressure. Hence every case of suspected malaria needs a parasitological diagnosis. Rapid diagnostic test (RDT) are ready to use test available even in remote parts which does not need any expertise. For management of uncomplicated vivax malaria CQ is still the drug of choice. Whereas, falciparum malaria should be treated with artemisinin based combination therapy (ACT). The choice of ACT will depend upon the geographical locality of the patient. For severe and complicated malaria irrespective of species parenteral artemisinin or quinine is the drug of choice with former being more effective.