The participants included 65 (27%) children with profound anaemia (Hb ≤ 4 g/dL) or Hb 4–5 g/dL with respiratory distress (symptomatic severe malaria anaemia-SSMA), 14 (6%) with Hb between 4–5 g/dL without respiratory distress, 74 (30%) children with moderate acidosis (base deficit 8–15) and Hb>5 g/dL at admission and 88 (37%) children with severe acidosis (base deficit > 15) and Hb>5 g/dL at admission. The gene discussed is GSTM1; the disease is malaria.