Frequencies of anaemia and thrombocytopenia in patients of malaria: a hospital based study

ABSTRACT

To determine the frequencies of anaemia and thrombocytopenia in patients of malaria. Descriptive study. Study was conducted from June 2008 to February 2009 at the Combined Military Hospital Quetta, a tertiary care hospital. Study included all the patients presenting with blood film proven malaria. Their hematological parameters including hemoglobin, total white cell count and platelets were studied. Anemia was seen in 61% [120 patients] of the patients with malaria and thrombocytopenia in 74% [146 patients] of cases. Frequency of anemia and thrombocytopenia in patients of malaria was quite high. It is suggested that the index of suspicion for malaria should be kept high in patients presenting with fever associated with anemia and/or thrombocytopenia