Abstract

Ashish Gopal* and Arshad Jamal

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Neurological manifestations in malaria occur with Plasmodium falciparum and have been reported to about 2-55% in different states in India. Case fatality of Plasmodium falciparum is 1% & this accounts for 1-3 million of deaths per year all over the world. If one knows the pattern of clinical presentation of falciparum malaria, the task becomes easy and thousands of lives can be saved, as cost of treatment is affordable even in a developing country like India where malaria is endemic. Aims and Objectives: 1. To study the incidence of falciparum malaria. 2. To study the myriads of clinical presentation of falciparum malaria. 3. To study the various neurological manifestations & their incidence in patients of falciparum malaria. 4. To study the bad prognostic indicators of falciparum malaria. Material and Methods: The present study was carried out in Department of Medicine, Gandhi Medical College and associated Hamidia Hospital, Bhopal from November 08 to December 09. Study covered the population of Bhopal & its neighbouring districts. Results: Increased proportion of P.falciparum infection is observed in our study. The highest incidence was observed in age group 12-30 years (54%). Mean age affected was 33.47+15.43. As the age advances incidence decreases. In the present study 68.67% males & 31.33% female were sufferers. Maximum numbers of cases i.e 76% were observed in post monsoon period. In our study of 150 patients, fever was the most common symptom observed in 148 patents (98.67%). Altered sensorium was noticed in 60 patients (40%). Conclusion: Malaria is a great masquerader, it had a wide clinical spectrum and it can present in any way. Thus knowledge of myriads of its presentation will help in "early diagnosis and prompt treatment."