Non-Malaria Causes of Fever among under-5 Children with Negative Results for Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test in South-Western Nigeria (original) (raw)

Journal of Tropical Pediatrics

Abstract

Background Although the global malaria burden is decreasing, there are still concerns about overdiagnosis of malaria and the danger of misdiagnosis of non-malaria causes of fever. Clinicians continue to face the challenge of differentiating between these causes despite the introduction of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs). Aim To determine the prevalence and causes of non-malaria-caused fever in children in South-Western Nigeria. Methods Secondary analysis of data obtained to evaluate the effect of restricting antimalarial treatment to positive mRDT children in rural and urban areas of southwest Nigeria. Clinical examinations, laboratory tests for malaria parasites (including thick blood film and mRDT) and bacterial identification were performed on children aged 3–59 months (n = 511). The non-malaria group comprised febrile children who had both negative mRDT and microscopy results, while the malaria group included those who were positive for either mRDT or microscopy. We compa...

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