Editorial Commentary:Mortality Associated with SeverePlasmodium falciparumMalaria Increases with Age

Of the 4 species of human malaria parasites, Plasmodium falciparum is the most common cause of severe complications. Although the risk of death due to mild, uncomplicated malaria is low (<1%), infection occurring in individuals with insufficient immunity can progress to lifethreatening disease when untreated or inadequately treated. Severe malaria is proteiform; presenting signs and symptoms are diverse and may occur singly or, most often, combined in the same patient. The World Health Organization has identified the case-defining conditions [1] and the general principles for the management of severe malaria [2, 3]. Although life-threatening malaria complications can affect patients of all ages, disease presentation and mortality are intimately related to transmission intensity and age of the patient. Various studies have reported on the prevalence of the