This paper describes the results of an open-label randomized trial, comparing the use of artesunate and quinine for the treatment of severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children in 11 African countries.

This study describes the outcome of 25 travellers with severe malaria who returned from malaria-endemic regions and were treated at 7 centres in Europe with intravenous artesunate. Among these 25 patients, one child and 24 adults (mean ± SD age 44.1 ± 16.1 years), 10 patients received the dosing regimen for artesunate initially recommended by WHO and 11 received artesunate, 2.4 mg/kg/dose.