Table 1

Demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics of malaria-specific deaths

CaseAgeSexAge groupOrigin *Malaria † seasonalityHIVFeverNeurological symptomsOther symptomsHaematocrit/
haemoglobin
Parasitaemia/
rapid test
Clinical
diagnosis
12MChildren u-5UrbanHighNANADyspnoeaNAPositive/NASevere malaria, sepsis, anaemia
23MChildren u-5UrbanHighYesConfusion, agitationVomiting, diarrhoea, pallorNANA/NAAcute gastroenteritis, anaemia
323FMaternal deathUrbanHighHIV40NoDyspnoea, headache, leucocytosis, low platelet count22/80Positive /positiveMalaria
428FMaternal deathUrbanHighHIV39Lethargic, abnormal behaviour, nuchal rigidityDyspnoea, pallor, jaundice, leucocytosis low platelet count, hepatosplenomegaly, hypoglycaemic20/70Negative/ positiveMalaria
528FMaternal deathRuralLowHIVNoComaDiarrhoea, vomiting, pallorNANA/NAHaemorrhage postabortion, acute gastroenteritis
620FMaternal deathUrbanHighNoNoPallor, leucocytosis, low platelet count24/70NA/positiveMalaria
  • *Urban usually corresponds to Maputo city, whereby malaria incidence is generally low. Rural implies other areas where malaria incidence tends to be higher.

  • †Seasonality for malaria is high during the rainy season (October to May), and low during the dry season (June to September).

  • F, female; M, male; NA, not available; u-5, under 5 years of age identified by the complete diagnostic autopsy.