Cognitive Outcome of Malaria and HIV Infection in Children in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Infections of the Central Nervous System (CNS) are a public health burden for children in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition to their high mortality, they are a major cause of both major and subtle cognitive deficits in children. With the advent of more effective treatments, there is increased survival of these children meaning that more children who have suffered CNS infections are surviving into adulthood with consequent short or long term cognitive deficits. This chapter reviews the current literature on the cognitive deficits resulting from CNS malaria and HIV infection, the main causes of cognitive deficits in African children among the infectious diseases. It also looks at the factors associated with these cognitive deficits and reviews different interventions to prevent or improve outcome.