The study of clinical, biochemical and hematological profile in malaria patients

Abstract

Background: Malaria is a major health problem in India. Malaria is the most important parasitic infection which causes major health challenges. Malaria pathogenesis is based on extensive changes in hematological and biochemical parameters. The objective of this study was to study the clinical features, hematological and biochemical parameters in malaria patients and correlate them. Methods: The present study was done in the department of medicine, M.G.M.M.C & M.Y.H. Indore (M.P.). In this study various signs and symptoms and frequency of changes in hematological and biochemical parameters caused by Plasmodium species were determined. Mean, standard deviation, minimum, maximum values of laboratory alterations were noted and associations were calculated. Results: 104 patients who had peripheral smear positive for malaria parasite were included in this study. Out of these 104 patients 53 (50.96%) patients of P. falciparum , 48 (46.15%) patients of P. vivax and 3 (2.88%) patients of mixed infection. In the present study most common system involved was haematological (69%) followed by hepatic (42.3%), renal (29.04%), neurological (28.84%), cardiovascular (16.34%) and pulmonary (2.88%). Conclusions: Malaria though potentially treatable, still kills many patients every year in India. The most common presentation of malaria is fever, so in endemic region malaria may be considered as a leading differential diagnosis in all patients presenting as acute febrile illness, especially patients who also have organomegaly, fall in hemoglobin level, thrombocytopenia and altered liver function tests. Therefore, it is vital to know and perform hematological and biochemical investigations to detect early complications and to treat them effectively.