Malaria can lead to thrombocytopenia

To evaluate the effects of malaria on Platelet count. This observational Study was carried out at the private clinic of author from January 2006 to December 2006. Two hundred and thirty six patients were positive for malarial parasite of the total 947 requests for slide examination. Of the total positive cases, 130 were positive for Plasmodium vivax, 102 were positive for Plasmodium falciparum, and 04 were having mixed infections [both vivax and falciparum]. Platelet counts were done in 95 patients, [Plasmodium falciparum 55, Plasmodium vivax 36 and mixed 04]. Full Blood Count, thick and thin smears were stained with Giemsa stain and were studied by hematologists.. Microsoft Excel was used for statistical analysis. In these 95 patients, platelet counts ranged 20,000 to 350,000/cmm with a mean value of 144,000/cmm. Fifty five [58%] patients had thrombocytopenia. Malaria is usually associated with various degrees of thrombocytopenia

Outcomes of pregnancy related acute renal failure

To study the outcome of pregnancy related acute renal failure. This observational interventional study was conducted in Nephrology unit, DHQ Hospital, Gomal Medical College, Dera Ismail Khan from April, 2004 to April, 2007. It included 88 pregnant women with established renal failure. Mean age of the patients was 28.5 years. Sixty-five [73.86%] patients had developed renal failure in late and 23[26.14%] in early pregnancy. Sixty-eight [77.28%] were multiparous and 20 [22.72%] were primigravida. Seventy-one [80.68%] women did not receive any form of antenatal care at any stage of pregnancy. A total of 73 [82.96%] patients were oligoanuric and 15 [17.04%] were non-oliguric but all had well established acute tubular necrosis [ATN] secondary to hypotension due to loss of blood, volume depletion or sepsis. Complete renal recovery was observed in 77 [87.5%] patients, out of whom 13 [14.72%] recovered without dialysis support. Eleven patients [12.5%] developed irreversible renal dysfunction. Mean hospital stay was 27.6 days. Mortality was 12.5%, mostly due to sepsis, DIC and multiorgan failure. Those who survived were reevaluated after one year and 87.5% were alive. Pregnancy related acute renal failure is a critical condition, associated with serious prognosis for both women and kidneys. So far, the most effective measures still remain the careful prevention and the aggressive management of the obstetric complications. Ideal care for women with acute renal failure in pregnancy or postpartum requires a multidisciplinary approach that may include maternal-fetal medicine, critical care medicine, nephrology, and neonatology specialities