Alteration of coagulation profile in malaria patients and its correlation with degree of parasitemia: a prospective study

Abstract

Background: Malaria is a major health problem in many parts of India. Several factors have been attributed to increased morbidity and mortality in malaria with altered haematological and coagulation parameters playing an important role. This study was performed to find the correlation between the alteration of coagulation profile and degree of parasitemia. Methods: Fifty patients with Malaria confirmed by PS, or Antigen assay underwent detailed clinical history, thorough physical examination and investigated with routine investigations, haematological and coagulation parameters were recruited in the study. Results: Parasitemia was found out for each of the patients and were categorized into mild moderate and severe parasitemia. This was followed by monitoring the alteration of coagulation profile with respect to severity of parasitemia. 17 patients had increased prothrombin time and most of these patients were Plasmodium falciparum positive. Thrombocytopenia was observed in 58% of the patients. Increased PT has positive co-efficient of correlation to degree of parasitemia with an ‘r’ value of 0.65 which is significant. Conclusions: It was found that the number of patients with increased prothrombin time increased with increase in degree of parasitemia, that is, the number of patients with deranged PT in severe parasitemia was significantly more than those in moderate parasitemia and this in turn was more than those in mild parasitemia.