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Calcium and phosphate levels in Nigerian children with malaria

O O Ayoola1, O I Fawole, O O Omotade

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. ooayoola@yahoo.com

Annals of Tropical Paediatrics
|November 22, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Malaria in Nigerian children is linked to lower calcium (hypocalcaemia) and phosphate (hypophosphataemia) levels. These electrolyte imbalances were observed more frequently in children with malaria compared to healthy controls.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Chemistry

Background:

  • Malaria is a significant public health concern, particularly in endemic regions like Nigeria.
  • Electrolyte disturbances, including calcium and phosphate imbalances, can occur in various infectious diseases.
  • The specific impact of malaria on calcium and phosphate homeostasis in children, especially in Nigeria, requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and compare serum calcium and phosphate levels in Nigerian children diagnosed with malaria versus healthy controls.
  • To determine the prevalence of hypocalcaemia and hypophosphataemia in pediatric malaria cases.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study was conducted involving 39 children with malaria (uncomplicated and severe) and 39 healthy children.
  • Serum calcium and phosphate levels were measured and analyzed.
  • Hypocalcaemia was defined as calcium <2.13 mmol/L (albumin-adjusted), and hypophosphataemia as phosphate <1 mmol/L.

Main Results:

  • Hypocalcaemia was detected in 23.1% of children with malaria, compared to 5.1% in healthy controls.
  • Hypophosphataemia was observed in 38.5% of malaria cases, versus 15.4% in controls.
  • Mean serum calcium levels were comparable between malaria cases [2.26 (0.15) mmol/L] and controls [2.24 (0.12) mmol/L].

Conclusions:

  • Hypocalcaemia and hypophosphataemia are significantly associated with malaria in Nigerian children.
  • These electrolyte imbalances may represent a complication or consequence of malaria infection in this pediatric population.
  • Monitoring calcium and phosphate levels could be important in the clinical management of pediatric malaria.

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