Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Sade Oguntola
Published on 2024-03-14 01:35:28
Malaria is often the assumed main cause of fevers in children, but relying solely on malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs) can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment for other infections, according to Professor Adebola Orimadegun. In his inaugural lecture at the University of Ibadan titled ‘Child Health Dynamics: Chances, Choices, and Consequences,’ he emphasized the significance of febrile illnesses as a cause of illness and death in children under five, particularly in low and middle-income countries.
Professor Orimadegun, the director of the Institute of Child Health at the university, warned that an over-reliance on mRDTs can result in the omission of other serious febrile disorders, leading to incorrect therapy, increased morbidity, and the risk of drug resistance. A study conducted in southwestern Nigeria in 2022 revealed that a significant percentage of children under five with negative mRDTs had non-malarial fevers, indicating a high prevalence of other febrile illnesses, such as viral and bacterial infections.
By expanding the diagnostic approach beyond malaria, Orimadegun suggested that the accuracy of diagnoses and appropriate treatments for fevers in children could be improved, resulting in better health outcomes and reduced drug resistance. He stressed the importance of considering a wider range of diagnoses beyond malaria in febrile children and called for a more comprehensive diagnostic approach, improved surveillance systems, and diagnostic capabilities to effectively identify and treat non-malarial febrile illnesses.
The professor also cautioned against restricting malaria treatment only to children who test positive for malaria with mRDTs, as there is a possibility of re-infection after 28 days. He highlighted the need for improved diagnostic methods, noting that microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests underestimate the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria compared to PCR, which is crucial for controlling malaria transmission as asymptomatic carriers serve as reservoirs.
Orimadegun advocated for a holistic approach that considers biological, environmental, and social determinants of child health, emphasizing evidence-based strategies to address health disparities and ensure that every child has the opportunity to make healthy choices. In conclusion, he emphasized the importance of a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating febrile illnesses in children to prevent misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment, and the development of drug resistance.
In today’s lecture, Professor Orimadegun highlighted the importance of not solely relying on malaria rapid diagnostic tests but also considering other potential causes of fevers in children, such as viral and bacterial infections. He stressed the need for a comprehensive diagnostic approach and improved surveillance systems to accurately identify and treat non-malarial febrile illnesses. By expanding the diagnostic approach beyond malaria, better health outcomes can be achieved for children under five, ultimately reducing drug resistance and improving overall child health.
Read the original article on Nigerian Tribune
