Here, using the principal component analysis and the receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, we identified seven potential markers; three pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-7, IL-12; the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-1RA, and the pro-inflammatory chemokines RANTES/CCL5, MIP1β/CCL4, IP10/CXCL10 that could discriminate between children with sepsis from those with clinical malaria and other febrile conditions. Here, IL1B is linked to malaria.