GENEVA, April 25 -- The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced yesterday that it had given prequalification approval to a malaria treatment for newborns and infants for the first time.

Artemether-lumefantrine is the first antimalarial formulation designed specifically for the youngest victims of the mosquito-borne disease.

"The prequalification designation indicates that the medicine meets international standards of quality, safety and efficacy," the WHO said in a statement.

Up to now, infants have been treated with formulations intended for older children - carrying a greater risk of dosage errors, side effects and toxicity.

"For centuries, malaria has stolen children from their parents, and health, wealth and hope from communitie...