Mopeia

Researchers are evaluating a new approach to quickly and accurately identify febrile children at higher risk of life-threatening infections in sub-Saharan Africa. This study compares standard clinical guidelines (IMCI-based strategies) alone to a combination of these guidelines with a rapid test measuring suPAR biomarker levels. The goal is to see if adding this biomarker test improves decisions about whether to admit or discharge children with acute fever and ultimately improves their health outcomes. The trial involves two groups: one following the standard IMCI guidelines and the other using IMCI plus the suPAR point-of-care test. Children aged 2 to under 60 months with fever will be randomly assigned to one of these groups. Blood samples will be collected from all participants, but only the intervention group will have suPAR levels measured during the first clinical assessment. Decisions to admit or discharge will be guided by these tests and clinical signs, with specific suPAR level thresholds used to identify children at moderate or high risk. All children will then have a second clinical assessment for safety and confirmation of decisions. Participants will be followed up on days 3 and 7 after enrollment, with additional checks if their condition worsens. There will also be interviews on day 28 and optionally at day 91 to monitor serious adverse events, hospitalizations, or deaths. Children with respiratory symptoms may join an additional sub-study involving lung sounds and sample collections. The main outcome measured is how appropriate the discharge decisions are within the first seven days after assessment.