Bibliographic information
Recommendation
Infants less than 5kg body weight: Treat infants weighing < 5 kg with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria with ACT at the same mg/kg bw target dose as for children weighing 5 kg.
Recommended in favor
Strong
Notes and Remarks
Practical Info The pharmacokinetics properties of many medicines in infants differ markedly from those in adults because of the physiological changes that occur in the first year of life. Accurate dosing is particularly important for infants. The only antimalarial agent that is currently contraindicated for infants (< 6 months) is primaquine. ACT is recommended and should be given according to body weight at the same mg/kg bw dose for all infants, including those weighing < 5 kg, with close monitoring of treatment response. The lack of infant formulations of most antimalarial drugs often necessitates division of adult tablets, which can lead to inaccurate dosing. When available, paediatric formulations and strengths are preferred, as they improve the effectiveness and accuracy of ACT dosing.
Also Featured In
This recommendation also appears in the following guidelines:
Guidelines for the treatment of malaria
WHO guidelines for malaria, 16 February 2021.
WHO guidelines for malaria, 13 July 2021.
WHO guidelines for malaria, 31 March 2022.
WHO guidelines for malaria, 3 June 2022.
WHO guidelines for malaria, 25 November 2022.
WHO Guidelines for malaria, 14 March 2023