Asian-Oceanian Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health

Volume Three December 2004 Number Two

SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF ARTEMETHER AND LUMEFANTRINE COMBINATION FOR MALARIA IN CHILDREN

* Iqbal A. Memon ,** Rab Nawaz Bhatti, Hamida Memon.*** 

*    Professor of Pediatrics Dow Medical College. Civil Hospital, Karachi

**   Senior Registrar Department of Pediatrics , Civil Hospital, Karachi

*** Research Medical Officer Department of Pediatrics Civil Hospital, Karachi.

Department of Paediatrics, Dow Medical College & Civil Hospital,
Karachi, Pakistan

ABSTRACT
 

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate efficacy and safety of Artemether and Lumefantrine combination in treatment of Malaria in Children.

Design:

It is a prospective open drug trial.

Materials & Methods:

Place & duration of Study:

This study was conducted in the Pediatric Out-Patient Department (OPD) and Department of Pediatrics, Civil Hospital & Dow Medical College Karachi from August 01 – December 31, 2001. A total of 4234 febrile children (0-15 years) were screened for malaria. Malarial Parasites (M.P) were present in 4.1%  (174/ 4234). The dominant species were Plasmodium falciparum (86%) while the rest were Plasmodium vivax (14%). 101 consenting families completed the study while 73 were dropped due to failure to complete the study.Patients were divided in weight category for fixed total dosages given in 4 equally divided aliquots and given at 0, 8,24 and 48 hours of the study.

5-10  Kg  – No. (20)  2 tab.

10-15 Kg – No. (31) 4tab

15-25 Kg –No. (37) 8 tab

25-35 kg  - No. (13) 12 tab

(1 tab= 20mg Artemether and 120 mg Lumefantarine).

Eighty two percent (82/101) responded clinically & MP examination was negative. Treatment failure (no defervesence) and MP + ve cases were seen in seven percent (7/101). However twelve patients responded clinically but as gametocytes persisted on day six, they were further given primaquine (0.3 mg/kg for 4 days)

Conclusion:

Clinical response rate was 93%. There were no side effects reported and acceptance of medicine was universal. Large studies are needed for those in the 5-10 Kg category. Gametocyte clearance should have been followed for another 3 days.

Keywords: Malaria, Plasmodium Falciparum, Artemether and Lumifentrine.

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