Mannitol and other osmotic diuretics as adjuncts for treating cerebral malaria

Abstract

Background: The main treatment for cerebral malaria is parenteral antimalarials. Mannitol and urea are used as adjunct therapy for cerebral malaria, but the World Health Organization does not recommend them. Objectives: To compare mannitol or urea to placebo or no treatment for treating children and adults with cerebral malaria. Selection criteria: Randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials comparing mannitol or urea to placebo or no treatment in children and adults with cerebral malaria. Data collection and analysis: No trials met the inclusion criteria. Main results: No trials met the inclusion criteria. Conclusions: No randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials to support or refute the use of mannitol or urea as adjuncts for treating cerebral malaria in clinical practice were identified. This is likely to require a multicentre trial