title: Dipstick urinalysis findings in children with Plasmodium falciparum in the South Tongu District: A case-control study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Malaria ranks among the major health and developmental challenges facing some of the poorest countries in tropical and sub-tropical regions across the globe. We determined urinary abnormalities and its relationship with parasite density in children ≤12 years with Plasmodium falciparum infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  From December 2013 to March 2014, we randomly recruited 116 participants comprising 58 malaria patients (cases) and 58 healthy controls from the Comboni Mission and the Sogakope District Hospitals both in the South Tongu district. Blood was collected for the estimation of hemoglobin and total white blood cells; thick and thin blood films were used for the determination of malaria parasite density. Urine was collected for the measurement of the various biochemical components using the automated urine analyzer. A pretested questionnaire was used to obtain demographic and clinical data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Urine protein (P < 0.001), blood (P < 0.001), bilirubin (P < 0.001), urobilinogen (P < 0.001), and ketones (P = 0.001) were significantly higher in individuals with P. falciparum infection than in healthy controls. Proteinuria (P = 0.247; r = 0.155), hematuria (P = 0.142; r = 0.195), bilirubinuria (P = 0.001; r = 0.438), urobilinogenuria (P = 0.876; r = 0.021), and ketonuria (P = 0.136; r = 0.198) were positively correlated with malaria parasite density; however, only bilirubinuria was significantly higher at higher parasitemia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Malaria has a significant effect on the chemical composition of urine with bilirubin positively correlated with parasite density. Dipstick urinalysis can be used together with light microscopy in resource-limited malaria-endemic areas to accurately diagnose falciparum malaria infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
authors.forename: Richard K D
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Ephraim
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
authors.forename: Worlanyo
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tashie
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
authors.forename: Hope
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Agbodzakey
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medical Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Legon, Ghana; Department of Bacteriology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Legon, Ghana.
authors.forename: Samuel Asamoah
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Sakyi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Essien-Baidoo
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
authors.forename: Prince
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Adoba
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Adu
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
authors.forename: Joyce
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ampong
keywords: Children; Plasmodium falciparum; dipstick; malaria; urinalysis