Lack of evidence of myocardial damage in children with plasmodium falciparum severe and complicated malaria from an endemic area for endomyocardial fibrosis

Abstract

Malaria is among the factors thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of endomyocardial fibrosis(EMF), a restrictive cardiomyopathy of unclear etiology, with no specific therapy, which affectspredominantly children and adolescents. In Africa, regions endemic with EMF are also areas with highprevalence of malaria. We studied 47 consecutive children aged 5- to 15-years old and concluded thatmyocardial damage and dysfunction are rare in severe and complicatedPlasmodium falciparummalariacases in children.