The Clinical Pattern and Complications of Severe Malaria in Parts of the Imo River Basin of Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria presents a medical emergency because it may rapidly progress to complications and death without prompt and appropriate treatment. This study was carried out to determine the clinical pattern and complications of severe malaria in parts of the Imo River Basin of Nigeria. The medical records of all cases of malaria admitted to Aboh Mbaise General Hospital, Imo State, Nigeria over a three year period( from 2005 to 2007) were analyzed in retrospect. During the study period, 246 patients were diagnosed with malaria. The history of fever was generally present and
in 78.8% of the cases it was associated with chills and rigors. Jaundice (23.5%) and splenomegaly (26%) were the most common physical abnormalities. Severe anemia (Hb<50g/L) occurred in 17.1% of the patients. The occurrence of two or more complications was observed in 17.9% of the patients. The duration of hospitalization varied from four days to two months, with an average of one week. Seven patients (2.8%) died during the hospital admission. This study shows that severe
malaria in malaria endemic areas can be associated with complications which can possibly lead to death. There is need for the ready availability of adequate chemotherapeutic agents for early treatment of malaria and easy assessibility of health care facilities in these areas to avert
complications arising from severe malaria and possible death.