Muhammad A., 13

Fifteen-year-old Muhammad is the firstborn of three children, a hardworking, ambitious boy from Gashua who dreams of becoming a soldier. His parents are petty traders earning about 5,000 naira together, barely enough for the family's basic needs in their modest two-bedroom home. Muhammad was admitted with severe malaria complicated by acute kidney injury, burning with high fever, severely weak, and passing dangerously little urine as his kidneys strained. Doctors stabilized him promptly with intravenous artesunate and carefully managed fluids to protect his kidneys, monitoring his kidney function, urine output, and blood pressure closely. Gradually, Muhammad fought back: his fever broke, his strength and appetite returned, and his kidneys recovered without further deterioration. He was discharged in stable condition, with follow-up planned to recheck his kidney function.

Muhammad presented with severe malaria complicated by acute kidney injury (AKI), a serious condition requiring urgent antimalarial treatment, careful fluid management, and close monitoring of kidney function. Untreated, this combination is doubly deadly: the malaria can progress to cerebral involvement, severe anaemia, and shock, while the failing kidneys allow toxins and fluid to build up, leading to complete kidney failure requiring dialysis, or death. He responded well to treatment, with progressive improvement in his general condition and renal status. Prognosis The prognosis is favourable with continued recovery and follow-up. Regular monitoring of kidney function, urine output, hydration, and blood pressure is recommended to ensure complete renal recovery.