DOI 10.1186/s12936-015-0917-7

Long-term impact of childhood malaria infection on school performance among school children in a malaria endemic area along the Thai–Myanmar border Nutchavadee Vorasan, Wirichada Pan‑Ngum, Podjanee Jittamala, Wanchai Maneeboonyang, Prasert Rukmanee and Saranath Lawpoolsri* Background: Children represent a high‑risk group for malaria worldwide. Among people in Thailand who have malaria during childhood, some may have multiple malaria attacks during their lifetime. Malaria may affect neurologi‑ cal cognition in children, resulting in short‑term impairment of memory and language functions. However, little is known regarding the long‑term effects of malaria infection on cognitive function. This study examines the long‑term impact of malaria infection on school performance among school children living in a malaria‑endemic area along the Thai–Myanmar border. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among school children aged 6–17 years in a primary‑sec‑ ondary school of a sub‑district of Ratchaburi Province, Thailand. History of childhood malaria infection was obtaine