Platelet-Directed Whole Blood Transfusion Strategy for Malaria

Launched by JOHNS HOPKINS BLOOMBERG SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH · Jan 25, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a new approach to help children suffering from severe malaria, particularly those with low platelet counts, a condition known as thrombocytopenia. The researchers want to see if giving whole blood transfusions can improve the chances of survival for these kids. The study is open to children under the age of 5 who have been diagnosed with severe malaria and meet specific health criteria, such as having a very low platelet count and a certain level of malaria parasites in their blood.

If your child is eligible and participates in this study, they will receive care according to the study's protocol, which includes the possibility of receiving a whole blood transfusion. The trial is currently recruiting participants, and parents or legal guardians will need to provide consent, ensuring they understand the study and its requirements. It's important to know that children with other serious health conditions or those living outside the designated area may not be able to join the study. Overall, this trial aims to find better ways to treat severe malaria in young children and improve their chances of recovery.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age \<5 years
• • Platelet count ≤75,000/uL
• • Hemoglobin \>5 and ≤9 g/dL
• • P. falciparum parasitemia ≥500 parasites/uL
• • Diagnosis of severe malaria meeting World Health Organization (WHO) criteria
• • Ability and willingness of the legal guardian to comply with study protocol for the duration of the study
• • Residence within health clinic catchment area
• • Signed informed consent obtained from the parent or legal guardian of the participant
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Residence in foster care or children otherwise under government supervision
• • Residence outside the hospital catchment area, or plan to leave the area
• • Presence of any other condition or abnormality which, in the opinion of the investigator, would compromise the safety of the participant or the quality of the data
• • Any contraindication to whole blood transfusion