Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, GSVM Medical College,
Kanpur, India | GSVM Medical College, Kanpur, India | Department of Community Medicine, Govt. Medical
College, Kannauj, India | Awadh Hospital, Lucknow, India | Department of Pharmacology, GSVM Medical College,
Kanpur, India | Department of Pediatrics, Govt. Medical College,
Ambedkarnagar, India
Note: [] Correspponding author: Y.K. Rao, L-20, Medical College Campus,
GSVM Medical College, Kanpur, India. Tel.: +91 9919080807; Fax: +91 0512
2535483; E-mail: ykraoneo@yahoo.co.in
Abstract: In India, Plasmodium falciparum is recognized as an
important cause of pediatric mortality and morbidity. However, recent
observations suggest there is an increasing incidence of severe cases of
P. vivax, including acute renal failure. All patients in the age group
0–15 yr, presenting with fever, admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, GSVM
Medical College, Kanpur, during the study period were tested for malarial
parasites. Those positive for P. vivax and/or P. falciparum
were included in the study; clinical findings and laboratory investigations
were recorded and analysed. A total of 112 subjects belonging to the age group
0–15 yr were included in the study. P. vivax was detected in 70
(62.5%) and P. falciparum in 42 (37.5%). Many patients with
P. vivax demonstrated signs and symptoms of severe malaria, including
respiratory symptoms in 12 (17.1%), abdominal symptoms in 39 (55.7%),
central nervous system symptoms in 19 (27.1%), pallor in 60 (85.7%),
icterus in 9 (12.9%), edema in 15 (21.4%), hypotension in 3 (4.3%),
hepatomegaly in 49 (70%) and splenomegaly in 51 (72.9%). 12.9% of
P. vivax patients had acute renal failure (ARF). There is a rising incidence of P. vivax cases causing severe malaria. ARF, which was
previously considered to be only due to P. falciparum, is now also
caused by P. vivax. P. vivax should no longer be considered a
benign species causing only non-severe malaria.
