# Evaluating EEG as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in Malawian children with febrile coma

> **NIH NIH R03** · CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE · 2023 · $91,000

## Abstract

Abstract
Coma with fever is a common clinical presentation for children living in resource-limited countries. In endemic
areas, malaria is the most common cause. We previously established that EEG is a prognostic biomarker in
pediatric cerebral malaria (CM). In this research, we will use data previously collected as part of an
observational study enrolling Malawian children with non-malarial coma to identify if EEG is a diagnostic and
prognostic biomarker in this patient group. We will evaluate whether there are differences in EEG studies in
children with non-malarial coma and CM (a diagnostic biomarker). We will evaluate if there are EEG factors
associated with hospital discharge outcomes in children with non-malarial febrile coma (a prognostic
biomarker), as we did in our previous studies from children with CM. If EEG factors are associated with
outcomes in children with non-malarial coma, we will compare them to the EEG factors associated with
outcomes in children with CM. The results of this research may allow better clinical care of children with febrile
coma, as it may help determine if the underlying cause of illness is malaria or non-malarial. It may help
determine, at the time of admission, if a child with non-malarial coma is at higher risk of an adverse outcome.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10523296
- **Project number:** 1R03NS124536-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** Douglas Postels
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $91,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-01-15 → 2024-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10523296

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10523296, Evaluating EEG as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in Malawian children with febrile coma (1R03NS124536-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10523296. Licensed CC0.

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