Malaria is one of the leading causes of illness in Nigerian children. While it is both treatable and preventable, children deteriorate faster than adults – making correct diagnosis, proper dosing, and early treatment absolutely essential.
Why Children Are More Vulnerable
Children under 5 have:
- Lower immunity
- Faster parasite multiplication
- Higher risk of severe malaria
This means that delays in treatment, even by a few hours, can increase the risk of complications.
Step 1: Test Before Treatment
Parents should never guess when a child has malaria.
Symptoms like fever, weakness, vomiting, and loss of appetite can come from many illnesses.
The safest approach is:
- A Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) at a pharmacy or clinic
- Microscopy where available
Correct testing ensures the right treatment is given immediately.
Step 2: Treat With Artemether/Lumefantrine (ACTs)
For confirmed uncomplicated malaria, Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) – specifically Artemether/Lumefantrine – is the WHO-recommended first-line treatment for children.
Parents should ensure:
- The medicine is NAFDAC-approved. AGATEM is a NAFDAC approved, Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) first-line treatment for malaria in children and adults.
- The correct weight-based dosage is followed
- The full 3-day course is completed
Giving a child too little medicine can lead to treatment failure. Giving too much can be unsafe, and correct dosing is non-negotiable.
Step 3: Give Each Dose With Food or Milk
Artemether/Lumefantrine works best when taken with fat-containing food, such as:
- Pap with milk
- Custard with milk
- Bread and tea
- Formula/breast milk for infants
This improves absorption and helps the medicine work faster.
What Parents Must NOT Do
To protect their child, parents must avoid:
Self-medicating without testing: This leads to misdiagnosis and delays proper treatment.
Stopping treatment early: Even if the child feels better after day one or two, the remaining parasites must be cleared.
Using herbal mixtures or unverified remedies: These can cause toxicity and worsen the child’s condition.
Splitting adult tablets for children: This causes inconsistent dosing and increases the risk of treatment failure.
Warning Signs That Require Immediate Hospital Care
If any of these symptoms appear, the child may be developing severe malaria and needs emergency care:
- Persistent vomiting
- Convulsions or jerking movements
- Very high fever that does not come down
- Difficulty breathing
- Child becomes unusually sleepy, weak, or unresponsive
- Inability to drink or breastfeed
- Yellow eyes (jaundice)
- Dark or reduced urine
Severe malaria is life-threatening and hospital treatment is the only option.
The Role of Pharmacists and Healthcare Workers
Pharmacists and CHWs play a major role by:
- Offering RDT testing
- Recommending correct weight-based ACT dosing
- Educating parents on completing treatment
- Identifying danger signs and referring cases early
Their guidance helps prevent complications and saves lives.
Conclusion:
Children can recover fully from malaria when treatment is fast, accurate, and properly administered. Testing before treatment, giving the correct Artemether/Lumefantrine dosage, and watching for warning signs ensures the child gets the best chance of recovery.
Early action is the difference between quick recovery and serious complications.
Disclaimer: This article is for public health education only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.