Assessing the Clinical Profile of Malaria and It’s Complications in Magadh Zone of Bihar, India

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical profile and its complication that help in early recognition of malaria helping timely treatment thereby reducing the morbidity and mortality.

Malaria continues to be one of the most common causes of fever and related human distress. Despite continuing preventive measures, it remains a major burden on tropical countries. While nearly eradicated from many countries such as the United States, Canada, Europe, and Russia, Malaria recently has presented new hurdles in terms of changing clinical profile and management, particularly p.vivax infection, which many a times contrary to the established belief found to cause severe malaria and so defies early detection and thus timely antimalarial medication.

A total of 96 patients were enrolled from indoor and outdoor section of Magadh medical college hospital, Gaya. Malaria is diagnosed with rapid testing and a peripheral blood smear examination. A thorough clinical examination was performed, with present clinical characteristics noted, as well as routine and specific lab tests. An investigation was conducted, appropriate treatment was implemented, and regular follow-up was conducted. The WHO criteria were used to define serious malaria.

vivax infected 54%, P. falciparum infected 47%, and mixed infection 9%. More than 30% of patients had unusual clinical features, 8.6% indicated warning signs, and 31% developed severe malaria, with P. vivax, contrary to popular assumption, developing complications as well.

The key to preventing morbidity and mortality is early diagnosis. Cough, severe headache, severe myalgia, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, severe arthralgia, oliguria, and malena are all typical but misleading clinical symptoms. A significant number of patients in this series had unusual symptoms

The prevalence of malaria, as well as the proportion of p. vivax and p. falciparum, varies by region in India. In Bihar's Magadh zone, P. vivax is the dominant species. Malaria continues to be a major public health issue. Concerns have been raised about p vivax's changing clinical profile and increased pathogenicity. Recognizing these characteristics aids in early detection and a better outcome.