Data for: A multicenter, prospective observational study of intraleukocytic and intraerythrocytic pigment as prognostic features in African children with falciparum malaria

This data collection was generated by a study of the prognostic significance of circulating pigment conducted by consortium of research units at five sites (Kenya, Ghana, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi). The study was part of a large multicentre prospective observational study of children admitted with falciparum malaria to SMAC (Severe Malaria in African Children clinical network). The prospective study aimed at setting up a core database to determine prognostic features in African children with severe malaria. It was the first study undertaken by the first clinical network devoted to the study of severe malaria in African children. A detailed description of the study design and participating sites was provided by Taylor T, Olola C, Valim C, et al. Standardized data collection for multi-center clinical studies of severe malaria in African children: establishing the SMAC network. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2006;100:615–22 and Olola CH, Missinou MA, Issifou S, et al. Medical informatics in medical research—the Severe Malaria in African Children (SMAC) Network's experience. Methods Inf Med. 2006;45:483–91. From December 2000 through May 2005, all children aged <1 to 180 months who were suspected of having malaria and were sick enough to be hospitalized were screened with a thick blood smear for the presence of P. falciparum parasitemia. Following consent from parents/guardians, children with positive blood smears were recruited into the study. The collection contains data on patient demographics, history of present illness, clinical details at the time of assessment and laboratory investigations.