A 6-year-old boy presented with a 2-week history of fever, abdominal pain, and vomiting after returning from Sierra Leone. Initial evaluation revealed hepatosplenomegaly, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated inflammatory markers. Peripheral blood smears showed intraerythrocytic parasites, leading to a diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The patient was successfully treated with intravenous artesunate and oral atovaquone-proguanil. This case highlights the importance of considering malaria in febrile children with recent travel to endemic areas, even with atypical presentations like prominent abdominal symptoms. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial for preventing severe outcomes.
Key note: Malaria should be considered in febrile patients with recent travel to endemic regions, regardless of atypical symptoms.