Journal of Vector Borne Diseases (Dec 2007)
Age as a risk factor for thrombocytopenia and anaemia in children treated for acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria
Abstract
Background & objectives: Anaemia is commonly observed in children with malaria, but reports onleucocyte and platelet count abnormalities associated with malaria are inconsistent. This studyexamined the effect of age, gender, parasite density and temperature on haematological parametersin children with acute uncomplicated malaria.Methods: Haematological parameters were determined in children with acute uncomplicated malaria,and these were correlated with age, sex, temperature and parasite density. Statistical analysis wasdone using SAS 9.1.Results: Six hundred and ninety five children with acute uncomplicated malaria participated in thestudy. The mean age was 51.7 months ± 33.8. At presentation, anaemia occurred in 43.8% of thepatients and children <5 yr had a significantly lower haematocrit (28.4% ± 4.8) than that of olderchildren (32.8% ± 4.8) (p <0.001), but the haematocrit was not significantly different by days 14 and28. There was no difference between both sexes. Leucocytosis was more frequently seen thanleucopenia (9.5% vs 3%). Thrombocytopenia was found in 59.3% of enrolled patients. More thanhalf of the patients with thrombocytopenia had recovered by Day 28. Baseline platelet count wasrelated to Day 14 (r = 0.6, p <0.0001) and Day 28 (r = 0.2, p = 0.0015) and the haematocrit on Day28 (r = 0.12, p = 0.00197). Platelet count showed no correlation with temperature, parasite densityand leucocyte count. Haematocrit correlated with age (r = 0.4, p<0.0001); but not with parasitedensity or temperature. Leucocyte count showed no correlation with age or parasite density.Conclusion: While thrombocytopenia was the most common haematological finding and may be ofdiagnostic importance, anaemia and leucocytosis were more common in the under fives.
