FALCIPARUM MALARIA

ITS DIVERSE CLINICAL SPECTRUM. A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF 150 ADMITTED PATIENTS

Abstract

Objective: To determine how Falciparum Malaria can present clinically in various ways. A study conducted on 150 admitted patients. Subjects and Methods: This descriptive case-series, single center study was conducted in Medical B Unit, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar from November 2012 to June 2013. A total of 150 patients admitted with falciparum malaria were studied. A detailed history and clinical examination was performed. The falciparum malaria was diagnosed by examining peripheral blood film. All patients were thoroughly investigated to find out the complications of falciparum malaria. Results: Out of 150 patients, 95 (63.33%) were males 55 (36.67%) were females with mean age of 30 years. Fever was present in all patients, rigors and chills in 93%, headache and vomiting in 60%, jaundice in 50%, confusion in 37 %, abdominal pain in 26% were main presentations. Other presentations were Oliguria, hypotension, cerebral malaria, dyspnea and cough, hypoglycemia and seizures. Clinical examination showed splenomegaly (58%), hepatomegaly (46%), hepato-splenomegaly (22%) of patients. Laboratory investigation showed Hemoglobin < 10gm% in 22% and leukocytosis > 12000/μl in 10% of patients. Conclusions: As Falciparum Malaria presents in multiple ways clinically, it should be considered as a possibility in all febrile illnesses.