Management of severe and complicated malaria in the intensive care unit

Malaria remains today one of the major health problems in the tropics with increased morbidity and mortality. The most serious complications are caused by Plasmodium falciparum, which, in contrast to the benign malarias, may progress to a life-threatening multisystem disease. Our case concerns a young woman in the 14th week of pregnancy, admitted to the ICU in a coma, with pulmonary oedema, haemolytic anaemia, renal failure and thrombocytopenia as complications of P. falciparum malaria. The case is discussed and possible explanations for the clinical picture and complications of P. falciparum malaria are given in the light of experiences from the literature.