Plasmodium Infection in Severely ill Children Aged 0-8 Years in Maiduguri Metropolis, North Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

The prevalence of malaria in 411 severely infants and children aged under 8 years old (6-9 months) was studied by consecutively screening each child for malaria parasites in accordance with WHO (1996) and WHO (2003)methods for a period of months.One hundred and twelve infants and children (27.2%) were positive for asexual malaria parasites.15.8% Were males while 47(11.4%) were females.infection rates was not significantly different between the sexes(p>0.05). The level of parasitaemia were significantly related to age(p<0.05) the majority 87 (77.6%) to infected infants and children were between the ages of 12-36 months, 77 (66.1%)had <1000ap/u1 7(6.2%)had 1000-5000 ap/ ul, while 6(5.3%)had>5000 ap/ul Durin the rainy season 87 (77.6%)had <1000ap/ul 7 (14.2%) had 1000-5000 ap/ul while 4(8.1%)had >5000 ap/ul. During the dry cold season 57 (90.4%) infant and children had <1000 ap/ul, 1 (1.5%) had 1000-5000, while 5(7.9%) had > 5000 ap/ul. There was a significant difference between the seasons (p<0.05). The low parasite density of <1000ap/ul in 84% of all the cases confirms the distinctive epidemiology of urban malaria and highlight the need for the use of rapid diagnostic tests in addition to thick blood film microscopiy to help reduce the of errors in the diagnosis of malaria in the sahel.