title: Platelet count in malaria patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Malaria is a major health problem in the tropics with high morbidity and mortality. This study is conducted to analyse the effects of malaria on platelets.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study was conducted on 200 diagnosed cases of malaria in Department of Medicine, LUMHS, Jamshoro/Hyderabad from February to December 2010. The diagnosis of malaria was carried out by thin and thick blood films. Platelet count was performed using an automated counter. Thrombocytopenia was classified as mild (50-150x10(3) cells/microl), moderate (20-50x10(3) cells/microl) and severe (<20x10(3) cell/microl).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The age of patients ranged from 16 to 80 (28 +/- 10.5) years, median age was 30 years. Among the study population, males were 124 (62%) and females were 76 (38%). Out of them 105 (52.5%) were cases of Plasmodium falciparum, 93 (46.5%) were of P. vivax, and 2 (1%) were of P. malaria. The data showed that 171 (85.5%) patients were having low platelet count; 141 (70.5%) had mild, 21 (10.5%) moderate, and 9 (4.5%) had severe thrombocytopenia. Twenty-nine (14.5%) patients had normal platelet count.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Malaria is associated with different degrees of low platelet count with rarely increased bleeding tendency.
authors: Department of Medicine, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan. ali_mumtazali@yahoo.com
authors: Mumtaz Ali
authors: MA
authors: Shaikh
authors: Shakeel
authors: S
authors: Ahmed
authors: Inayat Ullah
authors: IU
authors: Diju
authors: Dur-E-Yakta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult