IFNG and malaria: Among studies conducted in Africa, there were no differences in mean IFN-γ levels in children with severe malaria and those with uncomplicated malaria among studies that enrolled children (MD: 5.76 pg/mL, 95% CI − 4.98–16.50 pg/mL, I2: 98.15%, seven studies, 311 severe cases/268 uncomplicated cases, Supplementary Fig. S1).