FREQUENCY OF MALARIA IN YOUNG FEBRILE CHILDREN AT CIVIL HOSPITAL SUKKUR

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of malaria in young febrile children at Civil Hospital Sukkur. Methods: This study was conducted at the Department of Pediatric Medicine, Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College (GMC), Sukkur, from April 1 to September 30, 2024, using non-probability consecutive sampling. Children aged 1–5 years with fever ≥48 hours and symptoms like chills, shivering, or headache were included. Excluded were those who had received antimalarial treatment in the prior 42 days or had begun therapy at peripheral hospitals. After CPSP and ethical approval, informed consent was obtained. Demographic and clinical data, including age, weight, height, BMI, drug history, and symptoms, were recorded. Weight and height were measured using a Camry analogue scale and stadiometer, respectively. Capillary blood was collected for thick and thin smears, stained with 10% Giemsa, and examined microscopically. Thick smears identified parasite presence; thin smears identified species. Two technologists analyzed slides, with a third rechecking all positives and 10% of negatives. Geographical and socioeconomic data were also documented. Results: Out of 135 children with fever ≥ 48 hours and symptoms like chills, headache, and shivering, 70 were male (52%) and 65 were female (48%). The mean age was 3.03 ± 1.42 years, weight 13.59 ± 3.01 kg, height 89.80 ± 9.39 cm, and BMI 16.67 ± 1.20 kg/m². Most participants (81.5%) were from rural areas. Malaria parasites were detected in 41.5% (n = 56); Plasmodium vivax was most common (69.1%), followed by P. ovale (20%), P. falciparum (7.3%), and P. malariae (3.6%). Chill and shivering occurred in 90.4%, headache in 49.6%, and vomiting in 14.8%. Illness lasted an average of 4.11 ± 1.55 days. Most mothers had secondary (31.1%) or primary (25.9%) education. Malaria infection was significantly associated with rural residence (p = 0.049) and male gender (p = 0.037); 50 of 56 positive cases lived in rural areas, and more males (35/70) were infected than females (21/65). No significant links were found between malaria and clinical symptoms or maternal education (p = 0.221), though a trend toward lower malaria with higher maternal education (p = 0.020) was noted. These findings suggest demographic rather than clinical predictors for malaria. Conclusion: This study highlights the influence of gender, rural residence, and environmental factors on malaria prevalence in children. The results underscore the need for targeted interventions in rural areas, especially among males, and effective treatment strategies for Plasmodium vivax. Further research is recommended to examine socio-economic influences and long-term outcomes, which could enhance and refine malaria control measures in endemic regions for improved pediatric health outcomes.