SEVERE FALCIPARUM MALARIA – PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS/ COMPLICATIONS, AND MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES IN NIGERIA

Severe falciparum malaria remains a common cause of death among the under-5 Nigerian children despite Nigerians having partial immunity arising from their residence in a hyperendemic region for malaria transmission. It is, also, being reported in clinical practice among adolescent and adult Nigerians. The objective of this narrative review is to highlight the pathophysiology of severe malaria and relate that to its clinical manifestations/ complications and to highlight the challenges of severe malaria management in Nigeria. With a good understanding of the pathophysiology of severe malaria as it relates to its clinical manifestations, one expects a favorable outcome from the current treatment protocol.