Hemiplegia: An unusual presentation of cerebral malaria in infancy

Abstract

Malaria is one of the most common diseases in the tropical countries. Cerebral malaria is usually a diffuse symmetric encephalopathy with focal signs being unusual. We report a seven month old boy presented with low grade fever, pallor , altered sensorium and right sided hemiplegia. CT scan brain revealed massive hypodensity suggestive of infarct involving the left parieto-temporal region. Investigations revealed anaemia, thrombocytopenia and positive peripheral blood smear for falciparum malaria. The child improved with anti- malarials and physiotherapy.