The use of the WHO criteria to detect severe malaria among patients clinically diagnosed with uncomplicated malaria
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19594086 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Enoch Aninagyei (0000-0002-6489-167X, University of Health and Allied Sciences, corresponding author), Richard Harry Asmah (0000-0003-2704-2422, University of Health and Allied Sciences, corresponding author), Kwabena Obeng Duedu (0000-0001-5816-5172, Birmingham City University, corresponding author), John Gameli Deku (0000-0003-4787-9473, University of Health and Allied Sciences, corresponding author), Kelvin Senyo Tanson (University of Health and Allied Sciences, corresponding author), Yobo Mireku (Ghana Health Service, corresponding author), Fred Gbadago (Ghana Health Service, corresponding author), Desmond Omane Acheampong (0000-0001-8197-2618, University of Cape Coast, corresponding author) |
| Editors | Nyamongo Onkoba |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 4 |
| Issue | 8 |
| Pages | e0003158 |
| Publication date | 2024-08-15 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | PLOS Global Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2767-3375 • E-ISSN: 2767-3375 |
| Publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003158 |
| PMID | 39146283 |
| OpenAlex | W4401597497 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 35 |
The World Health Organization (WHO) strict defining criteria were used to identify severe malaria among Ghanaian patients clinically diagnosed as uncomplicated malaria. From each study participant, blood haemoglobin (Hb) and plasma bilirubin levels were estimated using automated analyzers. According to the WHO, the criteria for diagnosing severe malaria among children ( 10,000/μL, plasma bilirubin > 50 μmol/L amidst parasitemia > 100,000/μL and P . falciparum hyperparasitaemia (> 500,000 parasites/μL). Patients initially diagnosed with asymptomatic malaria (n = 347) were recruited. The parasitemia range was 540–863,402 parasite/μL. Overall, 86.2% of the patients had uncomplicated malaria while 13.8% of the patients were diagnosed with severe malaria of various origins. In children 50 μmol/L with parasitemia > 100,000/μL. In all the patients with hyperbilirubinemia, Hb levels fell below either 5g/dL or 7g/dL, for patients less than and 12 years or more, respectively. Finally, 1.7% (6/347) of the patients with malaria had parasite counts (> 500,000 parasites/μL). Irrespective of the etiology, patients diagnosed with severe malaria presented with pallor, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, fever and nausea, concurrently. Without comprehensive laboratory evaluation, patients with severe malaria could be misdiagnosed. Therefore, healthcare facilities need adequate human and logistical resources to be able to diagnose severe malaria for appropriate management to avert any untoward outcomes
Asymptomatic · Bilirubin · Malaria · Parasitemia · Plasmodium falciparum · Severe Malaria · Hemoglobinopathies and Related Disorders · Malaria Research and Control · Medicine · Mosquito-borne diseases and control · Gastroenterology · Immunology · Internal Medicine
| Highly cited | No |
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