JOURNAL ARTICLE

Severe malaria may affect children's cognitive abilities more than a decade later: Children who had cerebral malaria or severe malaria anemia have lower scores on tests measuring general cognition and math achievement.

  • Published In: Sciencemag.org, 2026. P. N.PAG 1 of 3

  • Database: Applied Science & Technology Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Vogel, Gretchen 3 of 3

Abstract

This article focuses on a study examining the long-term cognitive effects of severe malaria in children in Uganda. The research followed nearly 1,000 children for up to 15 years after infection and found that survivors of cerebral malaria or severe malarial anemia scored significantly lower on tests of general cognition and math achievement compared to children without malaria, indicating lasting cognitive deficits. Other severe malaria forms, including those causing seizures, did not show similar long-term impacts. The study highlights the substantial population-level cognitive burden of severe malaria and underscores the importance of prevention measures such as bed nets and vaccines. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Sciencemag.org. 2026/04, pN.PAG
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Health and Medicine
  • Publication Date:2026
  • Accession Number:193098139
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