Clinical and Epidemiological Features of Malaria in Children in Astrakhan Region
Study Objective: To analyse the clinical and epidemiological situation with malaria in children in Astrakhan Region. Study Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: The article describes a retrospective analysis of 41 cases of malaria in 40 children in 1998-2008. Study Results: Malaria was diagnosed in children aged 5 months to 17 years, most frequently in school children (75.6%). Boys had the disease more frequently (65.9%). In 87.8% children came from organised groups: they attended secondary schools (73.2%) or kindergartens (14.6%). 97.6% cases were tertian malaria; one child (2.4%) had quartan malaria. All children had imported malaria; the disease was imported mostly from Azerbaijan (87.8%). Conclusion: Imported malaria did not result in epidemics. Antimalarial measures taken were efficient and adequate for prevention and elimination of local contamination by Anopheles mosquitoes.