Spectrum of clinical manifestations in severe falciparum malaria in Koraput district, Orissa
Das, L.K.
National Medical Journal of India 14(2): 120-121
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0970-258X PMID: 11396316 Document Number: 530888
The clinical spectrum of severe falciparum malaria in patients admitted to the district headquarters hospital at Koraput district, Orissa, India is discussed. Hyperpyrexia accounted for 32.7% of the manifestations, followed by respiratory and central nervous system (CNS) involvement. The hepatobiliary system was involved in only 1%. CNS involvement varied from restlessness to grade III coma. The respiratory system was affected in a variety of ways, the most frequent manifestation being pneumonia. The spectrum of gastrointestinal involvement ranged from choleric or dysenteric diarrhoea to blackwater fever. Hepatosplenic involvement manifested as a tropical splenomegaly-like syndrome and hepatitis. Opportunistic infections, mostly due to non-typhoidal, Gram-negative bacteria, were also oberved. The proportion of children with CNS manifestations was higher in those aged less than 14 years. Of 133 deaths at the hospital during the 9-month period, 12.8% were due to cerebral malaria and 9.8% to respiratory infections.