The Relationship between Haemoglobin Levels and Platelet Counts of Malaria Infected and Non-Infected Children in Offinso, Ghana

Abstract

Malaria is known to have significant effects on the body. This study, investigated the relation between platelet and haemoglobin levels of malaria positive and negative children (age range = 1-14 years).  Out of the 1049 children (4.1± 3.3 years), comprising 493 females and 556 males who were tested for malaria parasites, the prevalence of malaria was 35.3%. Children aged one year with malaria recorded the least hemoglobin concentration of 8.0 ± 2.4g/dL. As the age of the children with malaria infection increase, the haemoglobin concentration also increased. The prevalence of anemia (<10 g/dL) in malaria infected children was 55.4% compared to 28.0% in children without malaria. Children with malaria infection were up to 4.0 (OR) times more likely to have severe anemia (<7 g/dL) than those uninfected. Furthermore, only 5.6% of malaria negative patients had thrombocytopenia (platelet <150 ); while 49.5% of malaria positive children had thrombocytopenia. There was a significant weak positive correlation (rho=0.277) between haemoglobin and platelet count of malaria positive children, but a weaker negative correlation (r = -0.088) in those without malaria. The haemoglobin levels and platelet counts of children without malaria followed the normal distribution, while those with malaria did not. Therefore, haemoglobin and platelet data from malaria negative and positive children should be analysed differently to improve diagnosis and treatment.