Antioxidant Micronutrients in Malaria

Summary

In the last decade, the prevalence of malaria has been escalating at an alarming rate, especially in Africa. An estimated 300 to 500 million cases each year cause 1.5 to 2.7 million deaths, more than 90% occur in children under 5 years of age in Africa (WHO 1995). Malaria is Africa's leading cause of under-five mortality (20%) and constitutes 10% of the continent's overall disease burden. It accounts for 40% of public health expenditure, 30-50% of inpatient admissions, and up to 50% of outpatient visits in areas with high malaria transmission. Antioxidant micronutrients have immunomodulatory role and may have suppressive activity.

Timeline

Start

2010-08

Primary completion

2010-11

Completion

2010-12

Publications

• Background Muller O, Becher H, van Zweeden AB, Ye Y, Diallo DA, Konate AT, Gbangou A, Kouyate B, Garenne M. Effect of zinc supplementation on malaria and other causes of morbidity in west African children: randomised double blind placebo controlled trial. BMJ. 2001 Jun 30;322(7302):1567. doi: 10.1136/bmj.322.7302.1567.

Drugs

Indications