Effects of Malaria Infection on some Haematological and Biochemical Parameters in the General Population and Pregnant Malaria Patients Attending Two District Hospitals in Niger State, Nigeria

The effects of malaria on some haematological and biochemical parameters among males, pregnant and non-pregnant female patients attending district hospitals in Bida and Kagara areas of Niger State, Nigeria was investigated. The subjects were volunteers confirmed to be positive for malaria and without other clinical symptoms. A total of 231 patients (103 males and 128 females) within the age range of 1-50 years were studied. Fifty (20 males and 30 females) apparently healthy individuals in the similar age bracket were used as controls. Haematological and biochemical parameters were analyzed using standard methods. Overall, the reduction in haemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume (PCV) in patients were significantly higher/lower from non-infected patients (p>0.05), while there was no significant differences observed in the male patients. The mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (36.03 ± 1.29g/dl) in pregnant subjects was significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to the non-infected pregnant control group (32.65 ± 0.46g/dl). There was a significant reduction in neutrophils but increase in lymphocytes in all subjects irrespective of sex. Non-significant (p>0.05) increase existed in serum lipid levels among pregnant and non-pregnant women. When males and females were compared, serum lipids except triglycerides varied significantly. There were apparently no variations in glucose levels between pregnant and non-pregnant subjects, whereas males had significantly higher values. Some of these parameters can thus be useful tools in the monitoring and management of malaria.