Finally, the body temperature of the patient drops to normal or below it. Most complications are caused by P falciparum, including coma (cerebral malaria), with coma, altered mental status, or multiple seizures. Cerebral malaria is the most common cause of death in malaria patients. If untreated, this complication is lethal. Even with treatment, 15% of children and 20% of adults who develop cerebral malaria die.