V · WHO 2024 — know these cold Severe Falciparum Malaria06 / 18
Examiners expect WHO criteria verbatim — not just a list of organ failures. Know the thresholds. Neurological01
Impaired consciousness (GCS <15) · coma (<11) · seizures ≥2/24h · prostration
Respiratory02
Pulmonary oedema · ARDS · respiratory distress · SpO₂ <92% RA
Cardiovascular03
Shock · SBP <80 mmHg · impaired perfusion · CRT >3 s
Renal04
AKI · creatinine >265 µmol/L · haemoglobinuria · oliguria
Haematological05
Severe anaemia Hb <70 g/L · DIC · thrombocytopenia
Metabolic06
Glucose <2.2 · pH <7.25 · HCO₃ <15 · lactate >5
Hepatic07
Jaundice + organ dysfunction · bilirubin >50 µmol/L
Parasitological08
Hyperparasitaemia · >5% non-immune · >10% any patient
CICM Fellowship Masterclass · 2026Dr Timothy Chimunda FCICM