Asian Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (ISSN: 2249-622X)

Abstract

Retrospective analysis of malaria and its complications in a tertiary care centre in Central India.

Author(s): Mahendra M. Joshi, PrashantGowardhan

Background: Malaria is a well-known disease and it continues to be a major public health problem. The disease presenting with various complications is not uncommon. This study was undertaken to analyze and introspect the presentation of this disease in a tertiary referral center. Aims: To find out the clinical presentation and complications of patients of malaria and its outcome. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective study done on patients attending the outpatient and inpatient departments from their records from January 2011 to December 2012.The records were retrieved and scrutinized using a prepared case sheet proforma on the basis of patient’s demographic profile, clinical findings, investigations, treatment and complications. Results: Out of a total of 410 patients diagnosed and treated for malaria, 290 were treated as outpatients and 120 cases were inpatients. Infection in males (78%) was far more common as compared to females (22%) and many were within the 21–30 year age group. The incidence of malaria was found to be more during the monsoon season. Plasmodium vivax was the most common parasite (70.97%), followed by P. falciparum (25.85%), mixed malarial infection (3.18%).Combination therapy was given to most of the patients. Hepatopathy was the most common complication and all the deaths were due to cerebral malaria. Conclusion: Malaria is a major health problem in this region, particularly in rainy season and comparatively affects the younger adult population. P. vivax was the major parasite type causing malaria and most of the complications were due to P. falciparum.

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