Clare J., 14

Clare is a 13-year-old girl in Grade 7 at a local primary school. She lives with her father following her parents’ separation and is the third-born among five children. The family faces significant daily challenges. They fetch water from a well located more than a 30-minute walk from their home, a task that consumes considerable time and energy. Clare’s father works as a cane cutter and earns approximately KSh 2,000 per month, which is insufficient to adequately meet the family’s basic needs. They live in a single-room mud house without electricity. The structure is poorly built and offers minimal protection from harsh weather conditions. Without electricity, the family depends entirely on daylight and lacks proper lighting at night. Despite these difficulties, Clare is a disciplined and hardworking student. She assists her father with household chores whenever possible and remains committed to her education, attending school regularly. She aspires to become a professional teacher so she can educate children in her community and support her family. Through education, she hopes to improve her living conditions and build a better future. Clare was previously in good health until three days before hospital admission, when she developed a sudden high-grade fever accompanied by chills, excessive sweating, severe headache, and generalized body weakness. The fever persisted despite medications given at home. She also experienced non-projectile vomiting after meals. She has no history of chronic illness, no previous similar hospital admissions, no known drug allergies, and her immunizations are up to date. At the hospital, laboratory tests including a malaria blood smear, haemoglobin level, and random blood sugar were performed. Results confirmed a diagnosis of severe malaria with moderate anaemia. Due to the severity of her condition and the family’s financial challenges, a former beneficiary of Helpster Charity informed Clare’s father about the organization. He was reassured that Helpster Charity would assist in covering the cost of her medications.

Clare, a 14-year-old girl, was admitted with severe malaria, confirmed by laboratory testing. She was promptly started on intravenous artesunate as per treatment guidelines for severe malaria, along with supportive care including antipyretics, adequate hydration, and close monitoring of vital signs and blood parameters. Once her condition stabilized and she was able to tolerate oral medication, she was transitioned to a full course of oral artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) to complete treatment. She was also found to have moderate anaemia, which was managed with oral iron and folic acid supplementation, as her haemoglobin level did not require blood transfusion. Over the course of treatment, her fever subsided, repeat malaria tests confirmed parasite clearance, and her general condition improved significantly. By discharge, she was clinically stable with resolving symptoms and improving haemoglobin levels, and she was advised to continue iron therapy, maintain good nutrition, and use malaria preventive measures such as sleeping under insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

Clare presented with high-grade fever, chills, severe headache, vomiting, and generalized body weakness. Laboratory investigations confirmed a diagnosis of severe malaria complicated by moderate anaemia. The severity of malaria indicates a high parasite load, which contributed to the destruction of red blood cells and resulted in reduced haemoglobin levels. Immediate admission and prompt treatment were necessary to prevent complications such as worsening anaemia, seizures, or organ dysfunction. Her condition required close monitoring, antimalarial therapy, and supportive management. With timely and appropriate treatment, Clare’s prognosis is good. Most children respond well to proper antimalarial therapy and supportive care. Her moderate anaemia is expected to improve as the malaria infection resolves and with nutritional support or supplementation.