Aetiology and outcome of non-traumatic coma in African children: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Ray, Stephen TJ, Fuller, Charlotte ORCID: 0009-0001-8745-8334, Boubour, Alexandra, Bonnett, Laura J ORCID: 0000-0002-6981-9212, Lalloo, David G ORCID: 0000-0001-7680-2200, Seydel, Karl B and Griffiths, Michael J (2021) Aetiology and outcome of non-traumatic coma in African children: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS, 10 (1). 282-. ISSN 2046-4053, 2046-4053

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Abstract

Background: Non-traumatic coma is a common acute childhood presentation to healthcare facilities in Africa and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Historically, the majority of cases were attributed to cerebral malaria (CM). With the recent drastic reduction in malaria incidence, non-malarial coma is becoming a larger proportion of cases and determining the aetiology is diagnostically challenging, particularly in resource-limited settings. The purpose of this study will be to evaluate the aetiology and prognosis of non-traumatic coma in African children. Methods: With no date restrictions, systematic searches of MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus will identify prospective and retrospective studies (including randomised controlled trials, cluster randomised trials, cohort studies, cross-sectional, and case-control studies) recruiting children (1 month–16 years) with non-traumatic coma (defined by Blantyre Coma Score ≤ 2 or comparable alternative) from any African country. Disease-specific studies will be included if coma is associated and reported. The primary outcome is to determine the aetiology (infectious and non-infectious) of non-traumatic coma in African children, with pooled prevalence estimates of causes (e.g., malaria). Secondary outcomes are to determine overall estimates of morbidity and mortality of all-cause non-traumatic coma and disease-specific states of non-traumatic coma, where available. Random effects meta-analysis will summarise aetiology data and in-hospital and post-discharge mortality. Heterogeneity will be quantified with τ², I², and Cochran’s Q test. Discussion: This systematic review will provide a summary of the best available evidence on the aetiology and outcome of non-traumatic coma in African children. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42020141937.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Coma, Non-traumatic, Aetiology, Children, Africa
Divisions:	Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Infection, Vet & Ecological Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Population Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	07 Dec 2021 10:25
Last Modified:	24 Jan 2026 03:12
DOI:	10.1186/s13643-021-01796-1
Open Access URL:	https://systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com...
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3144844
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