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Thrombocytopenia in children with vivax malaria: a study from north India

Chandra Mohan Kumar1, Shweta Singh, Rajnish Garg

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi, 110029, India, cmkumar1@rediffmail.com.

Indian Journal of Pediatrics
|December 12, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Children with vivax malaria often develop temporary thrombocytopenia (low platelet count). Platelet counts recover quickly with treatment, and significant bleeding is uncommon in pediatric cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Vivax malaria is a significant global health concern, particularly affecting children.
  • Thrombocytopenia is a common complication of malaria, but its clinical significance in pediatric vivax malaria requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the incidence, severity, and clinical implications of thrombocytopenia in children diagnosed with vivax malaria.
  • To analyze the recovery patterns of platelet counts in this pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective, hospital-based descriptive case series design was employed.
  • Confirmed cases of vivax malaria in children were analyzed, with daily total platelet counts (TPC) recorded until recovery.
  • Follow-up platelet counts were assessed one week post-treatment.

Main Results:

  • Out of 39 children with vivax malaria, 22 experienced thrombocytopenia, with a mean admission platelet count of 48 × 10(9)/L.
  • Platelet counts demonstrated rapid recovery with treatment, rising to 126.5 × 10(9)/L by day 3 without the need for platelet transfusion.
  • In untreated cases, the lowest platelet counts occurred on days 5-6, with normalization by day 9. Younger children exhibited faster recovery than older children.

Conclusions:

  • Vivax malaria is frequently associated with transient thrombocytopenia in children.
  • This thrombocytopenia typically does not result in significant bleeding complications in pediatric patients.
Abstract

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