Comparison of hematological aspects among children with Malaria and healthy children
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Published on: May 30, 2019
A Fattahi Bafghi1, A Hashemi2, S Abolhasanizadeh3
11.Associate Professor, Medical Parasitology and Mycology Department, school of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, Iran.
Insights
Children with malaria, particularly falciparum and vivax types, exhibit significantly lower hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, MCH, WBC, and platelet levels compared to healthy children. This study highlights key hematological differences in pediatric malaria patients.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Malariology
Background:
- Malaria is a severe illness causing fever, anemia, and fatigue, disproportionately affecting young children.
- Anemia in malaria arises from various factors, including direct red blood cell invasion.
- This study compares hematological profiles of children with malaria against healthy controls.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the hematological parameters of children diagnosed with malaria (Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax) against those of healthy children.
- To identify significant hematological differences that may aid in the diagnosis and understanding of pediatric malaria.
Main Methods:
- A laboratory trial study involving 30 pediatric patients admitted to a pathobiology laboratory.
- Complete blood counts were performed and compared between malaria-infected children (falciparum, vivax) and healthy controls.
- Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 19 software.
Main Results:
- Children with falciparum and vivax malaria showed significantly decreased levels of hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), white blood cells (WBC), and platelets (Plt) compared to controls (P < 0.05).
- Red blood cell (RBC) levels did not significantly differ between malaria-infected children and controls (P=0.49).
- Microscopic examination of blood smears confirmed Plasmodium falciparum rings in positive cases.
Conclusions:
- Malaria is a complex multisystem disorder with varied presentations, necessitating high clinical suspicion in endemic areas.
- Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial to mitigate morbidity and mortality in pediatric malaria.
- Understanding hematological changes is vital for managing malaria patients, especially children.
Background:
Malaria is an acute and chronic illness characterized by paroxysms of fever, chills, sweating, fatigue, anemia, and splenomegaly. Most malarial deaths occur in infants and young children.Anemia in malaria has diverse pathophysiologic mechanisms such as direct invasion of Red cells, In the following, we presented comparison of hematological aspects: children with Malaria and healthy children.
Materials And Methods:
This was a lab trial study. Patients were referred and admitted to the pathobiology laboratory along with physical examination. Then, they underwent a complete blood count and the result of complete blood count was compared with healthy person in the same age. Out of 30 patients, with equally falciparum, vivax, and healthy .The hematological examination was performed. Finally, the data was analyzed using SPSS version 19 software.
Results:
The levels of HGB (P=0.001), HCT (P=0.001), MCV (P= 0.001), MCH (P=0.001), WBC (P=0.001), and Plt (P= 0.02) decreased significantly in children with falciparum and vivax malaria compared to healthy controls. The levels of RBC (P=0.49) increased significantly in children with falciparum and vivax malaria compared to controls. Blood culture at two times. To investigate malaria; blood smears taken after microscopic study of Plasmodium falciparum ring was observed.
Conclusion:
Malaria is a multisystem disorder which can lead to many diseases. Physicians, especially those in endemic areas, should be aware of the varied manifestations and maintain in a high index of suspicion for the disease in order to that diagnose and treat timely and, morbidity and mortality.
