Severe falciparum malarial complications in Ukhrul, Manipur

Development of complications is very common among the patients suffering from Plasmodium falciparum infection. A total of 64 patients of Plasmodium falciprum infections were admitted to the District Hospital, Ukhrul, during the period of 1st May 1996 to 15th June 1999; 9.37% patients do not develop complication while the rest 90.63% developed one or more complications. The most common complication is anaemia accounting for 76.56% followed by cerebral malaria (59.38%). Other lesser complications were leucopenia (15.63%), thrombocytopenia (26.56%), adult respiratory distress syndrome (6.25%). There is no single record of blackwater fever, 12.5% died due to development of multiple complications like severe haemolytic anaemia, haemolytic jaundice, cerebral malaria and acute renal failure. This study confirms presence of severe and complicated falciparum malaria in this part of the country.