Evaluation of full blood count among plasmodium parasatized pregnant women, in general hospital Sabo Kaduna state, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Malaria poses a significant public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among pregnant women, where it contributes to a high burden of infection and mortality. This study aimed to investigate the impact of malaria on haematological and biochemical parameters among pregnant women attending the Antenatal Clinic at General Hospital Sabo Kaduna State, North-Western Nigeria. Methodology: A total of 70 pregnant women participated in the study, with subjects aged between 15 and 40 years. A total of 70 pregnant women participated in the study, 50 of which were malaria positive and 20 of which were malaria negative. Participants were recruited from Antenatal Clinic of General Hospital Sabo, Kaduna State. Socio-demographic characteristic and blood samples were collected and examine for malaria parasite, some haematological parameters (HCT, HGB, WBC, RBC and platelet count) were measured using the sysmex auto-haematology analyzer. Data generated was analyzed using SPSS 22.0 statistical package. Results: Findings revealed that younger women, particularly those aged 21-25 years, constituted a significant proportion of the subjects, consistent with previous reports. Haematological analysis demonstrated a significant decrease in haematocrit (HCT), haemoglobin (HGB), red blood cell count (RBC), and platelet count among malaria parasitized pregnant women compared to controls (p<0.05). However, white blood cell (WBC) count remained within the normal reference range for both groups. Conclusion: These findings corroborate previous research indicating that malaria infection leads to alterations in haematological parameters, primarily attributed to mechanical destruction of parasitized red blood cells and splenic clearance. Furthermore, there should be an enhanced efforts to implement malaria prevention and control strategies, promote sanitation practices to reduce mosquito breeding sites, and prioritize the inclusion of malaria parasite investigation as a routine test in antenatal care for pregnant women.