Study design: Multi-site, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial across Kenya and Uganda.

Allocation: 1:1 ratio to receive either postdischarge malaria chemoprevention or placebo. Randomisation was performed by a computer-generated randomisation schedule prepared by an independent statistician.

Patients: 1049 children, 524 in the chemoprevention group and 525 in the placebo group. Children were less than 5 years of age at time of enrolment. Children who had been admitted to hospital with severe anaemia and fulfilled the eligibility criteria underwent randomisation to enter the study. All children received a 3-day course of artemether-lumefantrine at the time of discharge. Those selected to partake in the study were enrolled 2 weeks after discharge from hospital.

Intervention: To receive a standard 3-day treatment course of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine at 2, 6 and 10 weeks. The control group received a placebo …