Can Hypocalcaemia Predict Adverse Outcome in Malaria?-Preliminary Data From Tertiary Care Centre in Western India

In India total economic burden from malaria could be around US$ 1940 million. This study aims to find with the prevalence of hypocalcaemia in the different types of malaria, whether it has any relevance to the clinical presentation of the disease.

It was a prospective observational study done in tertiary care centre over a period of 3 months. Patients more than 12 years of age and confirmed cases of malaria on thick and thin smear examination were included in the study. Treatment was given as per standard protocol and as per discretion of treating physician. Serum calcium levels and ECG were done with all other baseline biochemistry of patient.

Severity of presentation, QTc prolongation, hypotension and complicated malaria were compared with presence and absences of hypocalcaemia all were(using chi square test X2)statistically significant. Abnormal Renal function, liver function and coagulation profile were found to have no correlation with hypocalcaemia.

This study is showing that patients who have hypocalcaemia tend to present in critical condition, have hypotension, prolonged QTc and tend to complicate.