Clinical spectrum, complications & treatment outcomes of malaria (in pediatric patients).

ABSTRACT

Malaria is one of the foremost public health problems in India. Objectives: To study the clinical spectrum, complications & treatment outcome in smear positive hospitalized children having malaria. Method: this prospective observational study enrolled 190 smear positive malaria patients admitted in pediatric wards of general hospital during 6 months. History taken & examination done. All patients were investigated & treated according to WHO guidelines & followed twice daily till their hospital stay. Results: 88% of patients were having P. vivax malaria. Males were 2.1 times more commonly affected. Age group most commonly affected was 5 to 10 years. Highest no of cases were reported in month of August. All patients were having history of fever. Thrombocytopenia was frequently associated (87%). Cerebral malaria was the commonest complication. Almost all patients with uncomplicated vivax malaria responded to Chloroquine. CFR was 1.05%.