Platelet Indices and Malaria Parasite Density of Pregnant Women With Asymptomatic Malaria Parasite Infection in a Tertiary Health Facility in Calabar, Nigeria.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v46i2.20Keywords:
Pregnancy, Malaria parasite, Asymptomatic malaria, Platelets IndicesAbstract
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium species that are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. This study was conducted to assess the platelet count, plateletcrit, mean platelet volume, width of distribution, and malaria parasite density in pregnant women with asymptomatic malaria parasite infection. Fifty pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital were enrolled, while 50 age-matched non-pregnant women served as controls. Platelet indices were determined using a Mindray assay automated haematology analyser. Malaria parasite detection was performed through the examination of thick and thin peripheral blood smears using 3% Giemsa, while the standard quantification system was used to determine the malaria parasite density of each subject. Platelet volume (9.45±1.30 x 109/L) and Platelet Distribution Width (15.00±0.45 x 109/L) were significantly higher (p≤0.05) in pregnant women with asymptomatic malaria parasite infection than in the non-pregnant women (8.32±0.79 x 109/L and 10.86±0.45 x 109/L) while their Platelet count (176.88±59.38 x 109/L) and Plateletcrit (0.19±0.06 x 109/L) were significantly (p≤ 0.05) lower when compared to non-pregnant women (230.30±71.02 x 109/L and 0.19±0.06 x 109/L). Pregnant women were also shown to be more susceptible to the parasite, especially Plasmodium falciparum, with a mean parasite density of 692.16 ± 151.95 parasite/μl. This study reported significantly lowered platelet counts in pregnant women with asymptomatic malaria, suggesting potential modulation of megakaryocyte function by circulating parasitic factors. The study also revealed an elevated mean platelet volume and distribution width in these women, a finding which may reflect compensatory mechanisms in bone marrow formation. Therefore, we recommend regular monitoring of platelet indices in pregnant women during antenatal check-ups.
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