Study of complex associations between severe malaria and malnutrition in pediatric age group

Abstract

BackgroundIn India, severe Malaria as well as malnutrition is quite prevalent in children. Till now, relationship between malnutrition and malaria remains inconclusive. Therefore, this study was carried out as an attempt to find relationship between severe malaria and malnutrition in pediatric age group. Materials and methodsStudy design was observational and was conducted in a tertiary care center in Uttar Pradesh. In age group of 6 month–18 years, total of 200 children suffering of severe malaria were included in study. Patients were classified into severe malaria as per WHO guidelines. Diagnosis and grading of malnutrition was done as per WHO guidelines for malnutrition. ResultsIn age group of 0.5–5 years, comprising of 64 children with severe malaria, 56(87.5%) were malnourished while 8(12.5%) were well nourished. In age group of 5–18 years comprising of 136 cases of severe malaria, 103 (75.7%) were malnourished while 33 (24.3%) were well nourished. In 0.5–5 years of age group, all three species of malaria were found to be affecting malnourished children in higher percentage as compared to well nourished children.. However, in 5–18 years of age group, cases of P.vivax severe malaria were significantly higher in malnourished children. ConclusionThis study showed higher percentage of malnourished children as compared to healthy children in cases of severe malaria and P.vivax cases with undernutrition to be significantly higher than other malarial parasites with undernutrition in 5–18 years age group. Therefore, malaria control strategies and nutritional intervention programmes should be consolidated together.