IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-8-1-17770 Original Research Paper Clinical manifestations and complications of malaria in Pediatric age group (less than 12 years) in a tertiary care hospital - A cross sectional study. Neelam R Shah Dr. Dr. Yogita V. Bhansali Dr. January 2019 8 1 01 02 ABSTRACT

 

Objectives: To determine the clinical features, complications and outcome of malaria in children hospitalized in a tertiary care centre of Maharashtra. Method: This retrospective cross–sectional hospital based study included malaria patients admitted in Pediatric ward of a tertiary care hospital of western India between January 2015 and December 2015.Presence of malaria parasite on thick and thin smears was considered diagnostic for malaria. Information was recorded pertaining to clinical symptoms, examination findings, biochemical and hematological investigations, complications of malaria and outcome of patients. Based on etiology, children were categorized into three groups: Plasmodium vivax (P.vivax), Plasmodium falciparum (P.falciparum) and mixed infection. Results: A total of 233 children diagnosed as malaria on thick/thin blood smears were included in the study. It consisted of P.vivax (30.9%),P.falciparum(63.9%)and mixed infections (5.2%).55% were males and 45% were females.The clinical features on admission were similar in all three groups.There was no statistical significant difference found between  complications such as severe anemia, thrombocytopenia, jaundice, renal dysfunction and cerebral malaria between P.vivax and P.falciparum.Four patients of P.falciparum and one of P.vivax expired. Conclusion: We conclude that P.vivax infection tends to have a similar course and complication as compared to malaria due to P.falciparum.