Cause of death in children with cerebral malaria.

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, shows that scientists have discovered what causes death in children with cerebral malaria, the deadliest form of malaria infection. The research team found that the brain becomes so swollen that it is forced out through the bottom of the skull and compresses the brain stem. This pressure causes the children to stop breathing and die. Malaria kills a child every minute, although there are increased efforts targeting malaria elimination and eradication which has had some effect on malaria infection and illness. The death rates from malaria are still too high and urgent intervention proposed.