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Cerebral malaria is associated with swelling of the brain.
Corticosteroid drugs could reduce the harmful effects of this swelling, but could also suppress host immunity to infection. This review aimed to assess the effects of steroids in patients with cerebral malaria in relation to survival and long-term disability. The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Trials Register, existing reviews, and contact with experts in the field. The outcomes sought were death, death with life-threatening complications, other complications, and disability. Out of a total of 143 patients, there were 30 deaths, distributed evenly between the steroid and the comparator group.