Abstract
Background Malaria is an important neglected disease and one of the most important global health problems, potentially affecting more than one third of the world's population. Cerebral malaria (CM) is a deadly complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection, associated with a 15-30% mortality rate and approximately 1-2 million annual deaths among young children predominantly m sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.
Objectives The objective of this study was to examine the effect of artemether on some biochemical parameters and compare it with that of quinine in Sudanese children with cerebral malaria. Methods This is a comparative randomized controlled antimalarial treatment trial of intramuscular artemether in cerebral falciparum malaria in children. Forty one children of age 3 months ·to 15 years with cerebral malaria were divided into artemether group (24 patients) and quinine group (17 patients) they received treatment as recommended. Blood samples of each group were collected on day 0 and day 2. Serum levels of glucose, creatinine, urea, total protein, albumin, globulin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured and results compared.
Results In quinine treated group there was significant decrease in blood glucose, even when compared with the Artemether treated group (P= 0.01). Additionally, the ALT was significantly elevated in the quinine treated patients (P=0.03). No significant differences in levels of other parameters were observed between the two groups during the study. Comparing the Artemether treated group with the quinine treated group, both groups were completely treated from cerebral malaria.
Conclusions Artemether is as effective as quinine in the treatment of cerebral malaria in children. It is safe, well tolerated and easy to administer.

Key words: artemether, cerebral malaria, children, falcipirum malaria, quinine