Some aspects of malaria in Mulago Hospital

Abstract

Thirty patients with malaria were studied. Seven had cerebral malaria, ten severe and thirteen non-severe malaria. Age ranged from seven weeks to eight years with equal sex distribution. All were febrile except two infants and convulsions were common especially in the cerebral and severe group. Severe anaemia of less than 5gm. per 100 ml. was confined to the children under 6 months. There was evidence of haemolysis in half the patients of the whole group. Parasite densities were low even in those with cerebral malaria and did not correlate with anaemia. Reasons for these findings are discussed. Thrombocytopenia was not severe and was confined to those with severe malaria. Fibrinogen levels were normal and factor V abnormality was found in only one patient. Prothrombin times serum F.D.P. levels were not done. There is insufficient data to make firm conclusions about presence or absence of IVC in cerebral malaria cases. Further studies are suggested.