Severe falciparum malarial complications in Ukhrul, Manipur

S A Chishti1, L Duidang, A Kasar

  • 1District Hospital, Ukhrul.

Insights

Complicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria is prevalent, with over 90% of patients developing complications like anemia and cerebral malaria. Severe cases led to fatalities, confirming the severity of falciparum malaria in the region.

Area of Science:

  • Tropical Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Malariology

Background:

  • Plasmodium falciparum infections frequently lead to severe complications.
  • Understanding complication patterns is crucial for patient management and public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the incidence and types of complications in Plasmodium falciparum malaria patients.
  • To assess the mortality associated with complicated malaria in Ukhrul District Hospital.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 64 Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases admitted between May 1996 and June 1999.
  • Documentation of patient demographics, clinical presentation, complications, and outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Over 90% of patients (90.63%) developed one or more complications.
  • Anemia (76.56%) and cerebral malaria (59.38%) were the most frequent complications.
  • Mortality was observed in 12.5% of patients, often due to multiple severe complications.

Conclusions:

  • Plasmodium falciparum malaria frequently presents with severe complications in this region.
  • Anemia and cerebral malaria are the predominant complications, necessitating targeted interventions.
  • The high complication rate underscores the need for enhanced malaria control and treatment protocols.

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