ISSN 2997-1036
International Journal of Hematology | Vol. 1, No. 9, September 2010 | pp. 65–72
DOI: 10.46882/2010/IJH/000009
Original Article
Title: Impact of malaria parasitemia on platelet indices and coagulation profiles in children under five years
Names of Authors: J. K. Lawal¹, K. L. Musa², L. M. Ibrahim³
Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Paediatrics, Federal Medical Centre, Katsina, Nigeria; ²Department of Haematology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria; ³Department of Medical Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Abstract: Malaria infection induces severe alterations in hematological parameters, particularly thrombocytopenia and endothelial activation. This study investigated platelet count, mean platelet volume, and prothrombin time in 150 children under five presenting with acute Plasmodium falciparum malaria compared to 50 healthy febrile controls without malaria. Parasite density correlated inversely with circulating platelet counts (r = -0.58, P < 0.001). Thrombocytopenia (platelets < 150 × 10⁹/L) occurred in 64.0% of parasitemic children, with severe thrombocytopenia (< 50 × 10⁹/L) noted in 14.6%. Mean platelet volume increased significantly in the infected group (11.2 ± 1.4 fl versus 8.6 ± 0.9 fl in controls), reflecting active peripheral destruction and compensatory bone marrow release of large young platelets. Prothrombin time prolongation exceeding 3 seconds over control values was observed in 22% of high-parasitemia cases. The degree of platelet index variance serves as a reliable adjunctive indicator of disease severity and endothelial stress in pediatric malaria.
Keywords: Malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, platelet indices, mean platelet volume, thrombocytopenia
Manuscript Timeline: Received: June 18, 2010; Revised: July 28, 2010; Accepted: August 14, 2010; Published: September 15, 2010