Clinical Profile of admitted children with malarial fever: a retrospective study

Abstract

Introduction: Malaria continues to be a major public health problem in developing country like India. India contributes to 77% of the total malarial cases in Southeast Asia.

Objective: The present retrospective study was conducted to find out the clinical profile in admitted pediatric patients of malarial fever. Methods: 108 hospitalized laboratory diagnosed malarial pediatric cases admitted to tertiary care hospital from 1st August 2013 to 30th Nov 2015 were studied. Records of all the patients who were discharged with the diagnosis of malaria were retrieved, compiled and analyzed.

Results: Plasmodium falciparum was commonest implicating agent found in 68(63%) of 108 children. Fever was the main presenting complains in all cases. Common clinical manifestations noted were organomegaly (63.9%), pallor (43.5%), altered sensorium (21.3%), convulsions (18.5%), clinical icterus (10.2%) and circulatory collapse. Mortality occurred only in children below 5 years with Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Conclusion: Plasmodium falciparum infection is common infecting species. Multi organ involvement and severe manifestations commonly observed in falciparum infection. Simple febrile seizures and respiratory symptoms are common with vivax infection. Isolated tender hepatomegaly observed in 9.3% of patients. Mortality noted with plasmodium falciparum malaria in children below 5yrs.