Study of sodium and potassium ion disturbances in malaria at Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Background: Malaria is an endemic disease in Gujarat, caused by the bite of the female anopheles mosquito. Electrolyte disturbances particularly hyponatremia is a common complication in malaria. Aim: To determine sodium and potassium ion disturbances in malaria cases at Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Material and methods: Total 200 indoor and outdoor patients of malaria who came to tertiary care hospital, Ahmedabad during period of July ? 2013 to June ? 2014 were included in present study. Patients were diagnosed for malaria after the examination of both thick and thin film peripheral smears and malarial antigen detection rapid card test. All patients were subjected to relevant laboratory investigations like complete blood count and serum electrolyte (sodium and potassium ion). Observation: Hyponatremia and hypokalemia were more common in both P. Falciparum and P. Vivax malaria. Severity of hyponatremia and hypokalemia were more in P. Falciparum than P. Vivax. Conclusion: Serum electrolytes must be estimated in each malaria case to prevent grave complications.