Effect of Falciparum Malaria on Haematological Parameters in Malaria Infected Patients in Sokoto Metropolis

Abstract

Aim: This study was aimed at evaluating various effects of falciparum malaria on haematological    parameters in malaria infected patients. Study Design: Hospital based cross-sectional study. Place and duration of Study: The study was conducted in Specialist Hospital, Sokoto Metropolis, Sokoto State Nigeria between May 2015 and November, 2015. Methodology: Two hundred and fifty four (254) malaria suspected patients were recruited for the study. Thick and thin blood films were prepared for each patients and stained with Giemsa to aid the detection of malaria parasites. Patients haematological parameters were determined using hematology analyzer (Sysmex KX-21N). Results: Out of the 254 patients, 167 (65.7%) had malaria. Significant differences in haematological parameters between P. falciparum malaria parasitemic patients and non parasitemic patients were only observed in mean (±SD) of the WBC (10.13±3.11x10³/µl versus 5.10±2.51x10³/µl, P = .003), Hb (12.54±2.15 g/dl versus 8.13±1.68 g/dl, P= .001) and the platelet count (262.67±112.13x10³/µl versus 125.67±41.70x10³/µl, P = .005). The mean (±SD) values of the red blood cells indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC) and differential lymphocyte and granulocyte count did not significantly differ between the two groups. Changes in haemoglobin, platelets and white blood cell count are the classical alterations. Conclusion: Changes in haematological parameters are only indicators of probable malaria infection, but when used with other clinical and microscopy parameters, they can significantly improve malaria diagnosis and timely further treatment for malaria infection.