Evaluation of Some Haematological Biomarkers of Inflammation in Children with Varying Degrees of Malaria Parasitemia in a Tertiary Health Facility in Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to explore the correlation between specific haematological inflammatory markers and varying degrees of malaria in children, utilizing blood samples from children with malaria in Jos, Nigeria. Study Design: A cross-sectional study involving 384 clinically symptomatic and laboratory-confirmed malaria-infected children with diverse parasitemia levels. Samples were obtained from both outpatient and hospitalized cases at Jos University Teaching Hospital. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Jos University Teaching Hospital. Data collection spanned a specified duration of 14th September 2022 to 14th may, 2023. Methodology: Malaria parasite density was determined through microscopic examination of peripheral blood films. Complete blood counts were analyzed, and predictive inflammatory biomarkers were computed. Results: Significant correlations among haematological inflammatory markers were evident, with the following sequence of significance observed: Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio displayed the most pronounced positive correlation with malaria parasite density (r=0.683, p=0.001), followed by Monocyte Lymphocyte Ratio (r=0.512, p=0.001), and Systemic immune Inflammatory Index (r=0.550, p=0.001). Eosinophil count exhibited marked significance, displaying a notably higher value in subjects with elevated malaria parasitemia compared to those exhibiting low, mild, and moderate levels (p=0.0154). Conclusion: In conclusion, the investigation unveiled a robust relationship between malaria parasitemia and Haematological inflammatory markers, The prominence of NLR in exhibiting the strongest correlation with malaria parasite density underscores its potential as a vital biomarker for assessing malaria severity. They all offer cost-effective means to gauge malaria severity and assess inflammation in resource-limited settings. These markers also hold promise for malaria prognosis and treatment monitoring.