Biochemical and haematological variables in Gambian children with cerebralmalaria

Biochemical and haematological measurements were made in Gambian children w ho satisfied the criteria for the diagnosis of cerebral malaria over a 3-ye ar period. Biochemical and haematological values were available for 388 and 624 children, respectively. Biochemical signs of renal and hepatic dysfunc tion were found and these may have contributed in a cumulative way to the h igh mortality seen in the study children. Cerebral involvement in children with cerebral malaria is only one, though the most important, manifestation of a multi-organ disease.