Clinical profile and laboratory parameters of severe Plasmodium vivax Malaria in Mewat region”

Abstract

Background:

Malaria is one of the most infectious disease world wide with about 50% of world population being at risk for its serious complication.Plasmodium vivax has long been regarded a rather benign disease irrespective of its substantial morbidity in Asia and Central and South America.However,severe vivax malaria has been increasingly reported in recent years,particularly from India. In our region malaria incidence is very high,hence there is a need to study patients with Plasmodium vivax malaria presenting with complications,so they can be detected early and appropriate treatment can be started.

Materials and Methods :-

This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics at Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Government Medical College,Nuh,Haryana over a 1 year period.Children aged 1 month to 14 years with laboratory confirmed Plasmodium vivax mono-infection were included.Data on clinical features,laboratory parameters,complications,and outcomes were extracted from hospital records and analysed in terms of percentage and absolute values.

Results :-

A total of 51 children were enrolled.Most cases (64.7%) were in the 0-5 year age group,with a slight male predominance (52.9%).Fever was universal symptom(100%),followed by pallor (47%),vomiting(23.5%),abdominal pain (19.6%),and hepatosplenomegaly (23.5%).Hemoglobin <7g/dl was seen in 49%,and thrombocytopenia (<1lakh/mm³) in 70.6%.Hyperbilirubinemia was found in 62.7% of patients.Complications were noted in 43.1% of children, including jaundice (19.6%),shock(11.8%),acute kidney injury(9.8%),and seizures (5.9%).ICU admission was required in 21.6%,and mortality occurred in 5.9% of cases.

Conclusion:-

Severe Plasmodium vivax malaria in children can present with life-threatening complications in children such as severe anemia,shock,acute kidney injury,neurological symptoms,and multiorgan dysfunction.Prompt recognition and appropriate management are crucial to reduce morbidity and mortality,especially in endemic and resource-limited settings.