Subclinical inflammation in asymptomatic schoolchildren with Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia correlates with impaired cognition.

Among schoolchildren with PCR-confirmed asymptomatic P. falciparum infections, the negative effect of parasitemia on cognition could be mediated, in part, by subclinical inflammation. Additional studies are needed to validate our findings in settings of lower malaria transmission and address potential confounders that could affect both inflammation and cognitive performance.