ABSTRACT
Background & Objectives: To study the clinical profile of hospitalised patients of malaria aged 15-60 years. Methods: This was a prospective analysis of patients suffering from malaria diagnosed by malaria serology and/or peripheral smear. The mode of presentation, clinical course, treatment history, laboratory investigations and complications were recorded and the data statistically analyzed.Results: P. vivax was the most common (80.39%) plasmodium species, the rest (19.61%) being P. falciparum. The mortality rate was 6.54%. A fall in hemoglobin (p=0.005) and platelet count (p=0.040) was observed in the patients who expired. There was an improvement in the final platelet counts in both the groups (p=0.00052). The mean total bilirubin at admission was higher in P. falciparum group than P. vivax group (p = 0.00789). Renal failure was observed in 16.34% patients. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients who expired was lower than patients who were discharged (p=0.007, 0.001). The mean heart rate was higher (109.40) in patients who expired (p = 0.002). Conclusion: Factors associated with poor prognosis in malaria are moderate grade fever, hypotension, tachycardia, anaemia, thrombocytopenia, hyperbilirubinemia, high transaminase and renal failure. A high clinical suspicion, early diagnosis and treatment is recommended in highly prone areas.