title: Trend and manifestations of falciparum malaria in a tertiary care hospital of India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The recent focus is on the increase in the burden of falciparum cases with a varied spectrum of presentation and outcome, especially in developing countries like India. This study was undertaken to analyze the trend and manifestations of falciparum malaria in a tertiary care hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  This descriptive study was carried out at the Gauhati Government Medical College and Hospital from June 2006 to May 2007. The data were collected on demographic and time characteristics, clinical and laboratory findings, the outcome of disease and expressed in proportion or percentages.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the 100 cases, around 2(nd)/3(rd) (63%) of cases were in the age group of 15-30 years and the mean age was found to be 29.51 years. About 66% of them were males. Clinical presentations included pain abdomen (42, 42%), nausea and vomiting (35, 35%), jaundice (34, 34%), oliguria (24, 24%), altered sensorium (24, 24%), breathing difficulty (10, 10%), and seizures (5, 5%). Number of cases and mortality were more with a peak in the month of May and September. Manifestations of severe falciparum malaria included hepatopathy (38%), renal failure (28%), shock (9%), acute respiratory distress syndrome (7%), hypoglycemia (3%), and severe anemia (1%). Eighty-two cases (82%) recovered and 18 cases (18%) expired.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Falciparum malaria is more among younger adult age group and males. Complications and mortality are also more due to falciparum malaria.
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine and Trauma, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.
authors: Rama Prakasha
authors: RP
authors: Saya
authors: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.
authors: Ganesh Kumar
authors: GK
authors: Saya
authors: Department of General Medicine, Government Medical College, Guwahati, Assam, India.
authors: Goswami
authors: G
authors: Debabrata
keywords: Falciparum malaria; India; manifestations; trend