Plasmodium falciparum malaria with bleeding diathesis-an experience in NWFP

ABSTRACT

Falciparum Malaria is a syndrome and a disease of protean clinical manifestations including DIG. This descriptive study was conducted in Medical department of Khyber teaching hospital Peshawar from January 2004 to August 2005. Fifty patients between the ages of 15 to 70 years, who presented with fever and bleeding manifestations, having positive trophozoites of plasmodium falciparum in blood smear, were included. Out of 50 patients 27 [54%] were males, while 23 [46%] were females. Male to female ratio was 1.171. The age of the study group ranged form 15 to 70 years. Maximum number of patients were in the age group 15-29 years [44%]. Fever was noticed in 48 [96%], anemia in 32 [64%] and splenomegaly in 33 [66%]. Bleeding diathesis was noticed in 3 [6%] patients with prolonged PT, APTT, thrombocytopenia and raised FDPs, Four patients had thrombocytopenia and positive FDPs in low titre, with 03 patients having prolonged PT and APTT but no clinical evidence of bleeding. We conclude that any patient with history of fever and bleeding diathesis, falciparum malaria should be considered in the differential diagnosis