Bibliographic information

GuidelineWHO guidelines for malaria, 25 November 2022.
Year of Publication2022
Issuing InstitutionWorld Health Organization

Recommendation

Maintained

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:

Originally Developed
Guideline

Guidelines for the treatment of malaria

Year2015
InstitutionWorld Health Organization
Guideline

WHO guidelines for malaria, 16 February 2021.

Year2021
InstitutionWHO
Guideline

WHO guidelines for malaria, 13 July 2021.

Year2021
InstitutionWHO
Guideline

WHO guidelines for malaria, 18 February 2022.

Year2022
InstitutionWHO
Guideline

WHO guidelines for malaria, 31 March 2022.

Year2022
InstitutionWHO
Guideline

WHO guidelines for malaria, 3 June 2022.

Year2022
InstitutionWHO
Guideline

WHO Guidelines for malaria, 14 March 2023

Year2023
InstitutionWHO