Malaria

Malaria is caused by malarial parasite Plasmodium. There are four varieties of Plasmodium. Out of which Plasmodium Vivax is most common and Plasmodium Falciparum, is the one with most complications. The Plasmodium species are found in blood of mosquitoes. When a mosquito bites the child, plasmodium enters into the blood stream of the child. They enter the red blood cells where they multiply. The onset is with fever generally high grade accompanied by shivering. It is common in endemic areas like Africa, South Asia and South East Asia. The onset is generally sudden but can be chronic. There is associated headache, vomiting and muscle pain. Seating is common. The malarial parasite resides in the spleen. In cases of chronic malaria, the spleen is enlarged. The plasmodia break up the red blood cells and the child is anaemic.

Complications include cerebral malaria whereby the brain is affected, there is brain edema and the patient is unconscious. There may be liver failure with jaundice.  There may be sudden shock and low blood pressure.  The patient may pass red coloured urine with kidney failure. Black Water fever. In some cases, death may occur. According to Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla-A Child Specialist in Karachi, treatment is given i.e. anti malarials. In acute cases oral anti malarias suffice is given, but in complicated cases intravenous anti malarials need to be given. To eradicate the organism, prophylactic anti malarials should be given for 6-8 weeks.