Malaria impact on cognitive function of children in a peri-urban community in the Brazilian Amazon
Malaria impact on cognitive function of children in a peri-urban community in the Brazilian Amazon
Data
2019
Autores
Tapajós, Raquel
Castro, Daniel
Melo, Gisely
Balogun, Seyi
James, Mark
Pessoa, Rockson
Almeida, Anne
Costa, Mônica
Pinto, Rosemary
Albuquerque, Bernardino
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Malaria Journal
Resumo
Background: In Latin America, where Plasmodium vivax malaria is more prevalent, it is known that this species plays
an important role in the sustainability of transmission, and can have an impact on morbidity in terms of anaemia,
nutritional status, and cognitive development in children.
Methods: The present study aimed to assess the impact of malaria infection on cognition of children in a peri-urban
community in the Brazilian Amazon with moderate endemicity by applying Home Inventory and WPPSI-IV. A non-
concurrent cohort study was designed and the cognitive, haematological, and nutritional profles of the children were
assessed. Children with documented malaria history were identifed from ofcial reported data.
Results: A total of 219 children aged between 2 and 7 years were enrolled. Although 205 (95%) children had normal
birth weight, 177 (81%) were malnourished, and 35 (16%) had anaemia. Among the 100 (46%) children who experi-
enced at least one episode of malaria, 89 (89%) children demonstrated low level of cognitive development. The fnd-
ings showed that Plasmodium vivax malaria was an independent risk factor for low cognitive development.
Conclusions: In addition to the known economic impact of malaria in the Amazon region, the study highlights the
deleterious efects P. vivax malaria has on the socio-cultural development of the population.
Description
Palavras-chave
Plasmodium vivax, Cognition, Children
Citação
Tapajós R, Castro D, Melo G, Balogun S, James M, Pessoa R, Almeida A, Costa M, Pinto R, Albuquerque B, Monteiro W, Braga J, Lacerda M, Mourão MP. Malaria impact on cognitive function of children in a peri-urban community in the Brazilian Amazon. Malar J. 2019 May 16;18(1):173. doi: 10.1186/s12936-019-2802-2.