Descriptive and Analytical Study of Factors Associated with Mortality in Severe Malaria among Children in Dakar Emergency Departments from July to December 2022

Background: Malaria is the most widespread parasitic disease and remains a public health priority worldwide. The severe form is fatal if not treated early and appropriately. The aim was to carry out a descriptive and analytical study of the factors associated with mortality during severe malaria in children attending emergency departments in Dakar, Senegal. Methods: This is a prospective, observational and analytical study conducted over a 6-month period (July 1 to December 31, 2022), focusing on children hospitalized for severe malaria according to WHO severity criteria. Results: A total of 403 patients were hospitalized, including 78 cases of severe malaria (19.35%). Males predominated (60.26%) (sex ratio 1.51). The average age was 6.56 years [8 months - 14 years], with the [5 - 10 years] age group the most represented (40.26%). The average consultation time was 5.33 days (1 - 19 days). The main reasons for consultation were fever (70.51%), vomiting (24.35%) and convulsions (14.10%). Biological signs of severity were severe anemia (17.95%), renal failure (6.4%) and hypoglycemia (3.85%). Thrombocytopenia was noted in 52.56% of patients, including 32.05% of severe cases (sis in 61.41% of cases. Hyponatremia was noted in 39.74% of cases and hyperkalemia in 2 patients. Artesunate was the main drug used (93.59% of cases). Mortality was estimated at 1.5%. Factors leading to death were coma (P < 0.01), respiratory distress (P Conclusion: Malaria is still a public health problem, with a high mortality rate in emergency departments. Reducing this mortality rate requires effective management of the factors associated with death.