Halofantrine Treatment of acute Plasmodium falciparum malaria in infants and young children

Introduction Malaria in very young children is a major therapeutic challenge in highly endemic areas where initial infection can occur in the first few months of life. Because active immunity has not begun to be established, infants are most at risk from falciparum malaria, and it has been estimated by the World Health Organisation that up to 1096 of all infant mortality in Africa is directly or indirectly attributable to malaria. The rapid progression of symptoms from patency to severe and complicated malaria means that the time for intervention may be very short, and effective and appropriate antimalarial drugs are frequently in short supply. Added to this, malnutrition and other illnesses may accelerate the process, and in recent years drug resistance has further complicated the picture.