EVALUATION OF THE PATTERN OF LIPID PROFILE AND RENAL PARAMETERS IN MALARIA PATIENTS ATTENDING MADONNA UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, ELELE, RIVERS STATE

Malaria is an infectious, hematologic disease causing death and illness in children and adults, especially in tropical countries. Malaria occurs in over 90 countries worldwide. Certain reports have showed that malaria is associated with low cholesterol levels in acute conditions such as surgical traum, malignancy, burns and ischemic heart disease. This study was done to evaluate the pattern of lipid profile and renal parameters in malaria patients attending Madonna University Teaching Hospital, Elele, Rivers state. A total of 70 samples were used for this study. Lipid profile was done using Enzymatic method described by Buccolo and David. Urea estmation was done usng Diacetyl Monoxime Method (DAM), while creatinine was done using Jaffe-Slot method. Statistical analysis were done using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and statistical significance of differences was based on p value of less than 0.05. the result showed that The mean TC levels were 174.47 mg/dl for the control group and 170.23 mg/dl for malaria patients, with a non-significant F value of 0.922 (p=0.340). TG levels were significantly lower in malaria patients (158.88 mg/dl) compared to controls (168.80 mg/dl), with an F value of 4.007 and a p value of 0.049, indicating statistical significance. HDL levels were lower in malaria patients (42.93 mg/dl) compared to controls (46.10 mg/dl), though the difference is not statistically significant (F=3.199, p=0.078). LDL levels were comparable between the groups, with a mean of approximately 95 mg/dl and no significant difference (F=0.038, p=0.846). VLDL levels were also lower in malaria patients (31.825 mg/dl) than in controls (33.760 mg/dl), with an F value of 3.923 and a p value of 0.052, approaching significance. It was therefore concluded from this study that, malaria infection, may pose a risk to development of abnormal/lowered levels of some lipids parameters. Although, the association between serum lipid profile changes and malaria are not definitive evidence for the direction of causality.