Open AccessStudy comparing the clinical profile of complicated cases of Plasmodium falciparum malaria among adults and children
Author(s) -
P Gergely,
Lobo Manuel Alexander,
Anil Shetty
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
asian pacific journal of tropical disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.208
H-Index - 33
ISSN - 2222-1808
DOI - 10.1016/s2222-1808(11)60008-x
Subject(s) - medicine , malaria , chills , vomiting , jaundice , plasmodium falciparum , pediatrics , irritability , cerebral malaria , immunology , menopause
Objective: To compare the clinical profile of Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) malaria in\udadults and children. Methods: In this retrospective study, data were collected from case records\udof patients admitted with P. falciparum malaria to the paediatric and adult critical care facility\udof a tertiary care hospital in an endemic area. A total of 20 adults and children were compared\udfor their symptoms. Results: In this study, among all adults and children with P. falciparum\udmalaria, the commonest symptom was fever with chills and rigors. Among children, the next\udcommon symptoms were altered sensorium and irritability. Nine children (45%) had cerebral\udmalaria, among which five had seizures. Other common manifestations were reduced urine output\ud(35%) and vomiting (35%). Among adults, vomiting (65%) was the most common symptom followed\udby headache (60%). Eight (40%) adults had jaundice while nine (45%) had complaints of decreased\udurine output. Among adults, 4 had altered sensorium, of which 2 had seizures and jaundice; and\udall 4 had renal impairment. Conclusions: Clinical symptoms and profile of P. falciparum malaria\uddiffer among age groups. Early recognition of symptoms and treatment of malaria is paramount\udespecially in children who tend to have higher rates of complications compared to adults