A Clinical Study of Falciparum Malaria - 302 Cases

Abstract

Three hundred and two cases of falciparum malaria including 30 cases of severe falciparum malaria admitted between Jan 93 - Dec 93 were studied for their clinical features and response to treatment. Intermittent or remittent fever with chills and headache were the commonest presentation noted (99.3%). Cough (46.4%), hyperbilirubinemia (31.8%), and pyuria (52.9%) were the other notable features. Anaemia was uncommon (16.6%). Hypoglycacmia was detected in none of the cases. Quinine for 3 days along with tetracycline and sulfadoxine - pyrimethamine achieved a 100 per cent cure rate in uncomplicated chloroquine resistant falciparum malaria. Amodiaquine along with tetracycline and sulfadoxine - pyrimethamine was effective in 76.2 per cent of uncomplicated cases.