[Blackwater fever in children during cerebral malaria: 3 case reports in Bamako]

Abstract

Background: Blackwater fever is a rare but serious form of malaria in children. Diagnosis relies on clinical symptoms and on the color of the urines.

Objectives: To describe blackwater fever in children, a disease whose prevalence seems to be increasing.

Method: We report 3 cases of blackwater fever observed in our institution.

Results: In 2 cases, acute renal insufficiency with oligoanuria was observed. In all the 3 cases, treatment with quinine was stopped and replaced by injectable artemether. Evolution was dependent on renal function, and included in 1 patient neurological sequels consisting in aphasia.

Conclusion: Blackwater fever is a severe affection whose diagnosis should be evoked using the color of urine. Evolution is usually favorable in the pediatric population, when adequate care can be provided.