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The relationship between age and various malariological indices in the Kilombero valley ofTanzania were examined by compiling data from 6 different community studies carried out between 1989 and 1996.The rate of acquisition of Plasmodium falciparum infection was highest in children l-5 years of age, while recovery rates were lowest between the first birthday and early adolescence. As a result, peak prevalence was reached in 3-5 years old children. However, the prevalence of clinical malaria (estimated from the excess risk of axillary temperatures 237.5% attributable to parasitaemia) was highest in children under one year of age. The peak in multiplicity of infection (identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism of the msp2 locus) occurred in 3-7 years old children.There was a significant correlation between parasite density and multiplicity of infection in infants and young children (l-2 years of age) but not in older individuals.