Depression of platelet counts in apparently healthy children with asymptomatic malaria infection in a Nigerian metropolitan city.
Asymptomatic malaria infection is a common feature of malaria endemic regions in the tropics. In this prospective cross sectional survey, involving 240 children aged 1 to 8 years (Boys = 117, Girls = 123; Ratio 1:1.05), the median platelet count was 115 x 10(9)/L (IQR 97.5-190). Thirty-three out of 240 (13.75%) of the children had thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 100 x 10(9)/L). Malaria parasite was found to exert significant reduction in platelet count. This reduction was more pronounced in children under 5 years and also at higher parasite counts. An inverse relationship was established between parasite density and platelet count (y = -0.017x + 96.2, r = -0.2). Thrombocytopenia is not only a feature of acute malaria infection but also that of asymptomatic malaria infection in the tropics and might be a useful indicator of malaria in children.
Jeremiah
Zaccheaus Awortu
ZA
Postgraduate Haematology Unit, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. zacjerry@yahoo.com
Uko
Emmanuel Kufre
EK
D000367:Age Factors; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002947:Cities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D010976:Platelet Count; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000209:etiology*