Platelet-Directed Whole Blood Transfusion Strategy for Malaria

Inclusion Criteria: * Age \<5 years * Platelet count ≤100,000/uL * Hemoglobin \>5 and ≤11 g/dL * P. falciparum parasitemia ≥500 parasites/uL * Diagnosis of severe malaria meeting World Health Organization (WHO) criteria * Ability and willingness of the legal guardian to comply with study protocol for the duration of the study * Residence within health clinic catchment area * Signed informed consent obtained from the parent or legal guardian of the participant Exclusion Criteria: * Residence in foster care or children otherwise under government supervision * Residence outside the hospital catchment area, or plan to leave the area * Presence of any other condition or abnormality which, in the opinion of the investigator, would compromise the safety of the participant or the quality of the data * Any contraindication to whole blood transfusion