A Comparative Study of Clinical Profiles of Vivax and Falciparum Malaria in Children at a Tertiary Care Centre in Uttarakhand

Abstract

Background: Falciparum malaria has been constantly associated with high morbidity and mortality for a long time. Vivax malaria, which was once thought to be a relatively benign condition, is appearing in its more malignant form, with severity gradually becoming a serious concern. Aim: This study is aimed to find out and compare the clinical and pathological manifestations of vivax and falciparum malaria in pediatric age group in Uttarakhand. Setting and Design: A prospective study was carried out at a tertiary care hospital of a medical college in Uttarakhand, India. Material and Methods: This study was done for a period of 2 years, from December 2010 to November 2012. Patients of 18 years age or below from Uttarakhand and nearby regions, who were smear positive or antigen positive were included in the study. Statistical Analysis: p value was calculated using Pearson Chisquare with Yates correction by DAG stat software. Result: Eighty Five patients were found to be suffering from malaria. 61 (71.8%) had vivax malaria, while 24 (28.2%) patients suffered from falciparum. Larger majority of malaria patients in both the groups happened to be males. The detailed study of morbidity profile clearly establishes that the complication related severity, earlier attributed to only falciparum is equally seen in vivax. Thrombocytopenia was the commonest finding in both. Other complications seen in both groups were those of cerebral malaria, severe anemia, ARDS, renal failure, malarial hepatitis, leucocytopenia, pancytopenia, shock with multiorgan dysfunction and hemoglobinuria. Even the mortality in the two groups was of the same order as p value calculated for the difference between the two species was well above 0.05. Conclusion: Vivax malaria is an important cause of mortality and morbidity. The severity of illness is almost similar in both vivax and falciparum malaria.

Keywords

• severe malaria
• vivax malaria
• falciparum malaria