Determination of Effect of Home-Based Oral Chloroquine Treatment on Haematological Indices of <i>P. falciparum</i> Malaria in Children under 5 Years in Jos Metropolis

Abstract

Background: The incidence of P. falciparum malaria is characterized by high rates of morbidity and mortality in under 5 children; a trend reportedly prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries including Nigeria, and recently observed in Jos metropolis, has to date defied all constructive, preventive and drug therapy intervention measures and consequently continues to constitute a serious public health problem in this most vulnerable group. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine certain haematological indicators of malaria parasite infection; their role in the clinical manifestation of P. falciparum malaria and effect of first line oral chloroquine treatment in children under 5 years attending Jos University Teaching hospital and OLA Hospital in Jos metropolis. Method: This is a cross-sectional study of 93 malaria and non-malaria children, age 1 -59 months attending Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Jos and OLA hospital, Jos, North Central Nigeria. Malaria diagnosis was carried out using microscopical examination of Leishman's stained thick and thin blood films and complete blood count was done using Beckman Coulter Analyzer. Results: The mean percentage lymphocyte value of chloroquine treated children (39.28% ± 7.45%) was significantly lower than the control (66.38% ± 2.27%). The mean granulocyte value of chloroquine treated children (51.07% ± 6.40%) was significantly higher than the control (26.69% ± 2.43%). Red Blood Cell (RBC) counts (4.01 ± 0.21 × 10⁶/µL), Haemoglobin concentration (9.60 ± 0.51 g/dl) and Haematocrit (30.97% ± 1.43%) of chloroquine treated children were significantly higher than corresponding values in untreated malarious children, but not significantly different from values obtained in non-malaria control children. The RBC counts (2.92 ± 0.39 × 10⁶/µL), Haemoglobin concentration (7.23 ± 1.01 g/dl) and Haematocrit (23.70% ± 3.37%) obtained for untreated malarious children were significantly lower than corresponding values in the non-malarious control children. Conclusion: The pattern of the results obtained in this study suggests that home-based, first-line oral chloroquine treatment 24 hours prior hospital admission decreases the lymphocytes production and elevated production of granulocytes with attendant consequences on their biological functions. The chloroquine treatment seems to protect the red blood cells against the destructive effect of malaria. The haemoglobin concentration of 7.23 ± 1.01 g/dl obtained in untreated malaria children when combined with results of red blood cells; differential analysis indicates a mild, normocytic, normochromic anaemia due to haemolysis. This study demonstrates the beneficial effects of first aid, home-based oral chloroquine use. Rational use of chloroquine needs to be re-evaluated and encouraged in this group of children.

Evaluation of Short-Term Haematological and Nephro-Toxic Effects of Chloroquine, and Artemether-Lumefantrine in Albino Rats

“…However, the significant increase (p<0.05) in PCT could indicate the presence of an infection, while the significant increase (p<0.05) in HCT could suggest dehydration. These findings are consistent with the results of Ofem et al (2013), but they differ from the findings of Olomu et al (2018). The disparity between our findings and those of Olomu et al (2018) could be attributed to differences in the duration of treatment.…”

“…These findings are consistent with the results of Ofem et al (2013), but they differ from the findings of Olomu et al (2018). The disparity between our findings and those of Olomu et al (2018) could be attributed to differences in the duration of treatment.…”

Malaria Outbreak Facilitated by Appearance of Vector-Breeding Sites after Heavy Rainfall and Inadequate Preventive Measures: Nwoya District, Northern Uganda, February–May 2018

“…A secondary data analysis of the Uganda Malaria Indicator Survey of 2014 reported an increasing malaria parasite prevalence among children under 5 years associated with severity of anemia [33]. Studies in Ethiopia [34], Nigeria [35], and Mali [36] reported the increased focus of malaria prevention strategies to children under 5 years as being the most affected. In a community level study in Malawi, children under 5 years and those between 5 and 19 years were reported to benefit equally from community bed net coverage [37].…”

“…It is possible that children <5 years were less affected than the 5-18 age group because the children are given priority by their guardians to sleep under LLINs, compared with older children. Even at national strategic level, this phenomenon is depicted where children under 5 years are targeted for chemoprevention [35,36] and targeted bed net distribution [25][26][27].…”