0
0
A groundbreaking study by researchers from Indiana University School of Medicine and Makerere University School of Medicine in Uganda has revealed a critical link between elevated uric acid levels and severe outcomes in children suffering from malaria. Published in Nature Medicine, the study identifies hyperuricemia—abnormally high levels of uric acid in the blood—as a potential contributor to increased mortality and long-term cognitive impairments in children battling severe malaria.
The researchers found that hyperuricemia was strongly associated with death during hospitalization, post-discharge death, and persistent neurodevelopmental challenges. These findings open the door to new treatments and clinical strategies aimed at reducing the impact of this deadly disease.
Dr. Chandy C. John, co-lead researcher and Ryan White Professor of Pediatrics at Indiana University, stated, “Our findings show that hyperuricemia is strongly associated with death in the hospital and after discharge and with long-term cognitive impairment in children with severe malaria. We also showed several mechanisms by which hyperuricemia may lead to these outcomes, suggesting that hyperuricemia is not just associated with bad outcomes but may contribute to them.”
The study analyzed data from two independent groups of children with severe malaria in Uganda, revealing that 25% of the children had elevated uric acid levels. Hyperuricemia is primarily caused by the breakdown of infected red blood cells and kidney injury, both of which reduce the body’s ability to eliminate excess uric acid.
The research further uncovered that children with elevated uric acid levels faced four severe outcomes:
- Severe health complications, including coma and anemia
- A higher risk of death during hospitalization
- Increased likelihood of death after discharge
- Long-term cognitive impairments in survivors
Additionally, the study revealed that children with hyperuricemia had an imbalance in their gut bacteria, which can trigger sepsis as the harmful bacteria cross the compromised gut lining.
This discovery paves the way for clinical trials testing the effectiveness of uric acid-lowering treatments as part of a comprehensive approach to managing severe malaria. Dr. Andrea Conroy, another co-lead researcher and associate professor of pediatrics at IU School of Medicine, emphasized the need for further research: “Our hope is that these studies will provide new insights and potentially lead to improved treatments that save lives.”
This study builds upon the team’s earlier work on partial resistance to malaria treatment, underscoring the critical need for new strategies to combat the disease, which caused nearly 600,000 deaths worldwide in 2023 alone.
The findings of this study have significant implications for future treatment options for children with severe malaria, potentially improving survival rates and cognitive outcomes for this vulnerable population.
More information: Caitlin Bond et al, Elevated uric acid levels, mortality, and cognitive impairment in children with severe malaria, Nature Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-03430-8
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. For any concerns regarding malaria or its treatments, please consult a healthcare professional.
