Changing profile of severe malaria in north Indian children.

OBJECTIVE

To look for profile of severe malaria and contribution of vivax infection to malarial morbidity in North Indian children.

METHODS

Detailed clinical, biochemical and hematological characteristics of children hospitalized with severe malaria over last 3 y were recorded. Presence of malarial parasite on peripheral smear and/or positive antigen test was considered as diagnostic for malaria.

RESULTS

A total of 131(55.3%) patients with Plasmodium vivax (Pv), 79 (33.3%) with Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) and 27 (11.4%) with mixed infections were admitted. Cerebral malaria, severe anemia and shock were significantly more frequently observed in Pf group, while hepatic, renal, respiratory, and bleeding complications were more commonly seen in Pv patients. Malaria mortality was highest in mixed infection (11.1%), followed by Pf (7.6%) and Pv (3%) group.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe and fatal vivax malaria is an emerging recognized entity and challenges the perception of Pv as a benign disease. Further clinical studies and molecular research is required to understand emergence of severe malaria in vivax mono-infection.