The Alteration of Serum Glucose, Urea and Creatinine Level of Malaria Patients in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State Nigeria

Abstract

The alteration in serum glucose, urea and creatinine were estimated in malaria patients. About 30 subjects (15 male and 15 female) with malaria parasitaemia were selected as test subject based on clinical symptoms’ and 30 healthy subjects with no malaria infestation were included as control subjects. The malaria parasite, serum glucose, urea creatinine were determined using a standard procedures. It was observed that the levels of serum creatinine and urea were insignificantly (p>0.05) higher in malaria patients with mean values of (9.3±4) mg/dl and (62.5±27) mg/dl, when compared the respective control values of (5.3±3.1) mg/dl and (34.2±5.2) mg/dl. Serum glucose level decreased significantly, (p<0.05) in malaria patients with mean value of (43±42) mg/dl when compared with control subjects of (77.6±67.3) mg/dl. When compared with respect to their sex, the increase in the serum creatinine was insignificant (p>0.05), while the differences in the plasma glucose level and urea were significant (p<0.05). Female has a higher level of serum urea (65.2±15.5) mg/dl, serum glucose (49.1±23.6) mg/dl and a lower value of serum creatinine (5.8±1.8) mg/dl, when compared with the respective male patients’ values, serum urea (59.9±11.4) mg/dl, serum creatinine (12.5±2.2) mg/dl and serum glucose (36.6±19.9) mg/dl. When compared with respect to their ages ranging from 20-40 years, 41-60 years and 61-80 years, it showed that there was no significant increase in serum creatinine and urea but the plasma glucose showed a significant decrease as they age. The result suggests that malaria infestation affects the serum glucose, urea and creatinine levels of both male and female malaria patients in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo state, Nigeria in equal ratios. The effect is more within the age bracket of 41-60 years.