Species of plasmodium (P. Falciparum and P. Vivax) involved in children with malaria: An experience from a tertiary childcare hospital.

Authors

  • Muhammad Shahzad Maqsood The Children’s Hospital & ICH, Multan.
  • Safdar Hussain The Children’s Hospital & ICH, Multan.
  • Asim Khurshid The Children’s Hospital & ICH, Multan.
  • Sana Waqar The Children’s Hospital & ICH, Multan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29309/TPMJ/2021.28.07.5551

Keywords:

Malaria, Plasmodium Falciparum, Plasmodium Vivax

Abstract

Objective: To find out different species of plasmodium (P. falciparum and P. vivax) involved in children with malaria at a tertiary childcare hospital. Study Design: Descriptive, Cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Paediatric Medicine, The Children’s Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Multan. Period: October 2019 to March 2020. Material & Methods: A total of 281 cases of either gender, aged 1 to 12 years and patients with malaria were enrolled. A special template was designed to record study information. Venous blood as five ml sample was drawn and dispatched to institutional laboratory for ICT malaria, complete blood count and giemsa stain smear and observed under light microscope. Data analysis was performed employing SPSS version 24.0. Results: Out of a total of 281 cases, 177 (63.0%) were male ande 104 (37.0%) female. Mean age of study participants was 4.29±2.48 years. A total of 135 (48.0%) children belonged to rural areas and 197 (70.1%) had monthly family income < 25000 rupees. Mean duration of illness was 4.21 ± 2.12 days. Previous history of use of anti-malarial drugs was noted in 62 (22.1%) of our study cases. Plasmodium falciparum was observed in 52 (18.5%) cases and plasmodium vivax in 229 (81.5%). Conclusion: Plasmodium vivax is predominantly more prevalent in our population as compared with plasmodium falciparum in children with malaria. Plasmodium falciparum and plasmodium vivax were significantly linked with age and disease duration. Malaria was noted to be more prevalent among poor families living in slum areas having inadequate sanitation facilities. 

Author Biographies

Muhammad Shahzad Maqsood, The Children’s Hospital & ICH, Multan.

MBBS, FCPS (Pediatric Medicine)

Senior Registrar Pediatric Medicine

Safdar Hussain, The Children’s Hospital & ICH, Multan.

MBBS, FCPS (Pediatric Medicine)

Senior Registrar Paediatric Medicine

Asim Khurshid, The Children’s Hospital & ICH, Multan.

MBBS, FCPS (Paediatric Medicine)

Associate Professor Paediatric Medicine

Sana Waqar, The Children’s Hospital & ICH, Multan.

MBBS

House Officer Paediatric Medicine

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Published

2021-07-10