Evaluation of impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the burden and pattern of severe malaria in Nigerian children

Background: Malaria is an infectious disease caused by the protozoan Plasmodium, accounting for 36% of under-five mortality. About 4.5% all malaria-infected children reported at least one symptom severe malaria, with worsening outcome. COVID-19 and malaria shared similar clinical presentation in this similarity may lead to delay initiation treatment progression from uncomplicated forms consequently high Thus, we set out study extent impacted on burden pattern malaria. Methods: It was a retrospective admitted into children’s emergency room March 2018 February 2022. The data collected included total number admissions within period, month year admission, age, gender, component that final diagnosis outcome management. Data were analysed using NCSS 9 statistical software. Results: There 4761 period: males 54.7%, subjects 1-<60 months 60.5% pre period 63.7%. prevalence rates CHER 2.6%. Among those case fatality rate 10.7%. Severe malarial anemia most common 49.2% has predilection younger age. Cerebral predominantly diagnosed during period. Conclusions: 2.6% anaemia mode while cerebral more