202

■Bio-mathematics, Statistics and Nano-Technologies: Mosquito Control Strategies

When uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria is treated in infants, young children and the

malnourished ones, ACT should be the first line of treatment, since the safety of artemisinin

derivatives in children is good. Certain drugs like sulphadoxine – pyrimethamine should

not be given during the first weeks of life as it causes competitive displacement of bilirubin

which can exacerbate hyperbilirubinemia in neonates. Primaquine should not be given in

babies under 6 months and tetracyclines (doxycycline) should not be given during infancy.

Other issues that need to be considered with pediatric dosage forms are the taste, volume,

consistency in addition to gastrointestinal tolerability.

Figure 10.6: Showing the plasma concentration time curves for artemether (A) and lume-

fantrine (B) over time when administered as 80+480 mg, respectively, to an adult (70 kg)

[black lines] or as 20+120 mg, respectively, to a child (5 kg) in different concentrations

[colored lines]. Lumefantrine calculations are based on Francis et al. [45] and artemether

on Gordi et al. [46].