Abstract
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by the parasite. It could be a major public health problem in Pakistan due to poor hygienic conditions; malnutrition borne non-defensive immunity system. The purpose of study was to examine possible changes in electrolytes level of patients with malaria. Serum electrolytes were determined by using appropriate techniques. The result showed a significant elevation in the levels of sodium (Na) and potassium (K), whereas, chloride decreases statistically in malarial patients compared to those of controls. The blood serum electrolyte level obtained for sodium was 135.55 ppm, potassium was 4.044 ppm, and for chloride was 10.33 ppm and those for the controls determined to be 130.88 ppm, 3.98 ppm and 104.5 ppm respectively. The concentration of serum electrolytes was in range of abnormal level which could lead our study towards the conclusion that the increased levels of sodium and potassium can be maintained by giving supplement.
Highlights
Fifteen venous blood samples (10ml) of both the groups each from malarial patients and control subjects were collected into sample tubes without the addition of anticoagulant
The results show significant increase in serum sodium and potassium as compared to the control subjects, whereas, serum chloride level decreases in malarial patients as compared to the control subjects
From the above data it was observed that the electrolyte sodium and potassium increases significantly whereas serum levels of chloride decreases in malarial patients as compared to that in the control subjects
Summary
Sodium (Na+) is the major cation of extra cellular fluid and as such plays a central role in the maintenance of the normal distribution of water and osmotic pressure in various fluid compartments [9]. Disorders of water balance include Hyponatreamia, Hypernatraemia, Hypokalaemia and Hyperkalaemia, which occur in conditions of electrolyte disturbance, such as severe malaria infection [6]. Et al [6] observed that malaria is often associated with abnormalities of fluid, electrolytes (Na+ and K+) and acid-base balance. These can occur in anybody but are more common in severe falciparum malaria, extremes of age and in patients with high degree of fever and vomiting [5]
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