Effects Of Malaria Parasite Infection On The Packed Cell Volume (Pcv) Value Of Children At The Paediatric Unit Of University Of Uyo Teaching Hospital Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

Effects Of Malaria Parasite Infection On The Packed Cell Volume (Pcv) Value Of Children At The Paediatric Unit Of University Of Uyo Teaching Hospital Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

Abstract

Malaria is a worldwide migrating diseases associated with anemia especially among children. It causes high rate of mortality and mobility among children. Anemia is a haematological disorder caused by a decreased in the production of red blood cells, a bone marrow failure or by an increase in the red blood cells destruction. The study is to evaluate the effects of malaria parasite infection in the packed cell volume of children at paediatric unit of University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, blood samples were collected in EDTA bottles from children at paediatric unit of University of Uyo. Presence or absence of malaria identified by staining with Giemsa stain and examined under oil immersion objective lens. PCV was estimated using microhaematocrit centrifuge/ reader and analyzed.

Chapter One

• Introduction

Malaria is a worldwide migrating health disease especially in many developing countries e.g Africa and Asia. It was first isolated in blood of a patient in 1881 by Alpores Laueren. Malaria is gotten if bitten by an infected anophelene mosquito, if one receives infected blood from someone during blood transfusion and from mother to child during pregnancy. The causative agent of malaria is plasmodium which is made up of four species; Plasmodium falciparium, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malaria and Plasmodium knowelsi. (schellenberg et al., 2003).

Plasmodium is a single celled parasite that multiplies in the red blood cells of human and mosquito. The two most common species in Africa are Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparium with P. falciparium more pathogenic with high morbidity and mortality rate in Sub-Saharan Africa. P. falciparium modifies the surface of red blood cell (RBC) causing it to become sticky. This nature makes the cells to stick to the walls of the vessels leading up to major organs like the brain. This build up is called “sequestration” and result in reduced blood flow and oxygen deprivation in the organs hence causing anemia and eventually death of the patient. Anaemia is a blood disorder and one of the fatal consequences of malaria infection in the whole world.

Anaemia is a haematological disorder caused by a decrease in the production of red blood cells, a bone marrow failure or by an increase in   the red blood cells destruction  in the case of sever malaria parasite infection. It is an inevitable consequence of malaria parasite infection especially in children (Schellenburg et al., 2003). In the first two months or so of life, children may not contract malaria or the manifestation may be mild with  low-grade parasitaemia due to the passive immunity acquired via the maternal antibodies. Anaemia is a very common presentation of malaria in children. It is believed to be due to direct depression of erythropoiesis by malaria infection and actual parasitization of red cells by  malaria parasites leading to shortened survival or death of erythrocytes. (Itam, 2003).

1.2   Statement of the Problem

Malaria parasite infection is the leading cause of anaemia in children. It annually effects >300 million people worldwide, resulting in >3000 paediatric death per day. Malaria is the leading cause of mortality among children <5 years of age in Africa and is the cause of over 20% of all mortality in this age group.

Furthermore, an estimated 20% of cases of malaria imported to the United States and Europe occur in patient <18 years of age. In areas where malaria is not endemic, medical practitioners are frequently unfamiliar with the disease, and delays in diagnosis and treatment are common. Given the life- threatening potential of this illness especially on children, increased awareness and knowledge of proper management is necessary.

1.3   Aims and Objectives

The aims and objectives of this research work is;

• To know the effect of malaria parasite infection on the packed cell volume of children at paediatric unit of University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.
• To know the functional and structural changes of red blood cells when infected with malaria parasite.
• To highlight the control and preventive measure of malaria parasite infection in children.

Highlight the stages of malaria parasite infection and their respective signs and symptoms