Hematological Parameters in Severe Complicated Plasmodium falciparum Malaria among Adults in Aden

OBJECTIVE To study some hematological parameters in adult patients with complicated severe malaria and their relations to clinical outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a prospective study, including 77 patients from Aden Governorate with complicated severe malaria over the course of 2 years (2010-2011). RESULTS The common form of severe malaria in Aden was cerebral malaria (25.9%), followed by renal failure (18.2%), severe anemia (16.9%), and hepatitis (14.3%), with a case fatality rate of 7.8%. Hemoglobin concentration was significantly different among the various complications of severe malaria, while platelet and white blood cell counts did not show such differences. The mean age was older among patients that died. Hematological parameters did not significantly differ among dead or surviving patients. Thrombocytopenia was seen in 42.9% of patients and 18.2% of these had platelet counts of <50.0x109/L. However, none of them developed bleeding. CONCLUSION This study concluded that hematological changes are common complications encountered in severe malaria, but they are not related to the clinical outcome. CONFLICT OF INTEREST None declared.