Platelet-Directed Whole Blood Transfusion Strategy for Malaria

Open-label randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of whole blood transfusion for improving survival in children with severe malaria complicated by thrombocytopenia.

Inclusion Criteria:Age <5 yearsPlatelet count ≤75,000/uLHemoglobin >5 and ≤9 g/dLP. falciparum parasitemia ≥500 parasites/uLDiagnosis of severe malaria meeting World Health Organization (WHO) criteriaAbility and willingness of the legal guardian to comply with study protocol for the duration of the studyResidence within health clinic catchment areaSigned informed consent obtained from the parent or legal guardian of the participantExclusion Criteria:Residence in foster care or children otherwise under government supervisionResidence outside the hospital catchment area, or plan to leave the areaPresence of any other condition or abnormality which, in the opinion of the investigator, would compromise the safety of the participant or the quality of the dataAny contraindication to whole blood transfusion