Clinical Profile of Falciparum Malaria With Special Reference to Acute Kidney Injury- A Hospital-Based Observational Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND Malaria is very frequent in our state and acute kidney injury is a frequent complication. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the clinical features of falciparum malaria and its impact on kidney functions and the short-term outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a hospital-based observational study, where 120 falciparum cases were studied in detail in a period of one year. A detailed history, thorough clinical examination and relevant investigations were done in patients suffering from falciparum malaria. AKIN criteria were used to define acute kidney injury. RESULTS Fever was the most common clinical feature which was present in 100% of the patients and associated chills and rigors were seen in 95.8% cases. 70.83% cases were complicated (severe) falciparum malaria and rest of 29.16% cases were uncomplicated. Acute kidney injury was seen in 34.16% patients. About 46.4% patients were in stage 3 AKIN. 60.9% cases required haemodialysis. There was 13.33% mortality in our study due to falciparum malaria. Malarial AKI attributed to 24.39% of the mortality. CONCLUSION Among the complicated cases, most of the patients had malarial acute kidney injury and required haemodialysis. Majority of the AKI patients presented with oliguria and albuminuria. Mortality was higher in patients with acute kidney injury.