A Study on Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children in a tertiary care centre in Eastern Bihar.

Dr. Pawan Kumar Yadav; Dr. Anil Kumar; Dr. Brajesh Kumar

Volume : VIII, Issue : VIII, August - 2018

A Study on Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children in a tertiary care centre in Eastern Bihar.

Dr. Pawan Kumar Yadav, Dr. Anil Kumar, Dr. Brajesh Kumar

Abstract :

INTRODUCTION:Severe malaria is a potentially fatal condition encountered in all age groups, especially in children and if not treated timely can cause mortality. Malaria in its severe form is one of the leading cause of mortality in all ages in tropical countries. Across the world, South East Asian Region bears the second largest burden of malaria, being next only to African region. OBJECTIVES: The present prospective study was undertaken to assess the clinical course, complications and outcome i.e. to understand the pattern of morbidity and mortality of falciparum malaria in children in tertiary care center, JawaharLal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, Bhagalpur, Bihar. METHODS: This was a prospective hospital based study conducted on 300 consecutive pediatric admissions under the age group of 1–5 years of slide positive complicated falciparum malaria cases between January 2017 to March 2018. The cases were retrieved and scrutinised using a prepared case sheet proforma on the basis of patient’s detailed history, clinical findings, investigations, treatment and complications. RESULTS: 300 children with complicated Falciparum malaria with a mean age of 4.9±4.08 years to look for occurrence of different complications in younger and older age groups and overall mortality picture. Prostration (49.3%), Severe anemia (48.6%), coma (27.3%), and Respiratory distress(24.0%) were commonest complications. Under five children had higher risk of development of severe anemia (P<0.05) cereal malaria (P<0.05), respiratory distress (<0.05) and seizures (P<0.05); whereas above five children had higher risk of prostration (P<0.05), jaundice (P<0.05) and acute renal failure (P<0.05). Overall mortality was 13.7%, cereal malaria being the commonest cause (14.6%) in the present study. CONCLUSION: P. falciparum infection is a major public health concern amongst the children residing in these malaria endemic region i.e. rural areas of Eastern Bihar. Therefore, region specific sustainable intervention measures need to be initiated for the prevention and control of malaria and malaria related deaths in children in this region.