Malaria in the world. What needs to know a paediatricians? (I): historic perspective, aetiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis and clinical symptoms

Malaria affects poor tropical and subtropical countries, but it can be seen, as an imported illness, with increasing frequency in Spanish hospitals. The situation of malaria in the world is far from being controlled, with 350 to 500 million clinical cases per year and more than one million children deaths, predominantly in Africa. The adequate understanding of malaria requires a multidisciplinary approach, integrating biological, clinical, epidemiological and socioeconomic knowledge. The Spanish paediatrician must be prepared to deal with an unfamiliar disease whose potential severity allows no diagnostic delay. In this article we describe some basic concepts about the illness, with the objective of giving a global view which may allow the paediatrician, whether at the hospital or primary health care level, to correctly understand the diagnosis, management and prevention of the illness. The text has been divided into two sections. In this first section, the epidemiological, biological and clinical aspects are exposed. The second section covers the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of malaria.