Lorine A., 4

Lorine is the second-born child in her family and has an older brother in pre-primary school. Her mother sells melons to supplement the irregular income her father earns from casual work, with the household surviving on approximately USD 14 per month. They live with extended family in the grandparents’ home. Both Lorine and her brother have sickle cell disease, making regular medication and healthcare an additional financial burden that the family frequently struggles to meet. Lorine had been well and playful until she suddenly developed high fever, marked weakness and severe fatigue. Her condition deteriorated rapidly, and she began convulsing, became less responsive and was unable to interact normally, making the situation a medical emergency. Her frightened mother immediately sought help from a neighbour who works at the health facility, and staff were contacted to facilitate urgent care. On arrival, Lorine was febrile, extremely weak and visibly very ill. Assessment confirmed sickle cell crisis, severe malaria and pneumonia, requiring immediate treatment and close monitoring.

Lorine was admitted to the ward with severe pneumonia and malaria, presenting with high fever, persistent cough, breathing difficulty, and general body weakness. Due to the seriousness of her condition, she required close medical observation and inpatient care. Laboratory investigations including fasting blood glucose (FHG), and malaria test were carried out to assess his overall health status and rule out other possible causes of illness. During his admission, she was managed and treat the infection, and Panadol for fever and pain control. Her condition gradually improved as the fever subsided, breathing stabilized, and her strength returned. Lorine had recovered well and was discharged in stable condition, with prescriptions to continue treatment at home, alongside follow-up care if symptoms recurred.

Lorine, a child with sickle cell disease, developed severe malaria and pneumonia with fever, weakness and convulsions, requiring urgent inpatient care. Infections are particularly dangerous in sickle cell disease because affected children are more vulnerable to severe bacterial infection, and fever, dehydration and reduced oxygen can trigger sickling, severe anaemia and other life-threatening complications. With prompt antimalarial and pneumonia treatment, hydration and close monitoring, her prognosis is cautiously favourable.