During a five year period, 233 cases of malaria (2.4%) were diagnosed
among 9259 children with fever and hepatosplenomegaly seen in Asir Cen
tral Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia. The majority of these were below fo
ur years of age and came from Tihama, a hot, humid valley area in the
Asir region. The infection was seasonal and occurred between December
and May. Apart from fever, vomiting and hepatosplenomegaly, anemia was
a common clinical finding; this was partly due to iron deficiency ane
mia, probably nutritional. Most of the cases responded to chloroquine
therapy; however, three required intravenous quinine and two received
Fansidar to effect eradication of the parasitemia. During the study, t
wo patients died, one from cerebral malaria and the other from severe
hemolytic anemia and hemoglobinuria. For prevention of malaria in this
endemic area, an integrated program is advocated that includes the us
e of bednets impregnated with permethin, adequate treatment of proven
cases and intensive health education on malaria control and nutrition.