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Title: | The Lambare´ne´ Organ Dysfunction Score (LODS) Is a Simple Clinical Predictor of Fatal Malaria in African Children |
Authors: | Agbenyega, Edward Tsiri Schmutzhard, Erich Kremsner, Peter Gottfried Helbok, Raimund Kendjo, Eric Issifou, Saadou Lackner, Peter Newton, Charles R. Kombila, Maryvonne Bojang, Kalifa Dietz, Klaus |
Issue Date: | 25-May-2009 |
Publisher: | Infectious Diseases Society of America |
Citation: | Infectious Diseases Society of America, 2009 |
Abstract: | Background. Plasmodium falciparum malaria accounts for 11 million deaths annually, mostly among young
children in sub-Saharan Africa. Identifying those individuals who are likely to die is crucial. Several factors have
been independently associated with death. Because malaria is a systemic disease, a quantitative score combining
such risk factors may be superior.
Methods. We used both forward and backward stepwise logistic regression to select the best predictors of
death, as evaluated for 23,890 African children with severe P. falciparum malaria. The study was conducted from
December 2000 through May 2005 in 6 hospital-based research units (in Banjul in the Gambia, Blantyre in Malawi,
Kilifi in Kenya, Kumasi in Ghana, and Lambare´ne´ and Libreville in Gabon) in a network established to study
severe malaria in African children (ie, the SMAC Network).
Results. The Lambare´ne´ Organ Dysfunction Score (LODS) combines 3 variables: coma, prostration, and deep
breathing. A LODS 10 (odd ratio, 9.6; 95% confidence interval, 8.0–11.4) has 85% sensitivity to predict death,
and a LODS !3 is highly (98%) specific for survival.
Conclusions. The LODS is a simple clinical predictor of fatal malaria in African children. This score provides
accurate and rapid identification of children needing either referral or increased attention. |
Description: | This article is published at Infectious Diseases Society of America |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/15685 |
Appears in Collections: | College of Health Sciences
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