COMPARISON OF ELECTROLYTE PATTERN AND ERYTHROCYTES INDICES IN MALARIA IN ABA , ABIA STATE

ABSTRACT Electrolyte are ions that carries charges negative and positive charge and are essential for various physiological function in the body, by maintaining fluid balance transmitting nerve impulses contracting muscles and regulating pH level. The electrolyte can be intracellularly or extracellularly the intracellular cation and anion are potassium and phosphate respectively. The extracellular cation and anion are sodium and chloride respectively. Erythrocyte indices are group of blood test that provide valuable information about the size, hemoglobin content and variation of red blood cells. Essential in diagnosing and monitoring various blood related disorder such as anemia and thalassemia. Theindices include MCH, MCHC, MCV, RDW , RBC. Malaria is a life threatening disease caused by plasmodium species which is transmitted through the bite of infected female anopheles mosquito it's pathogenesis is a complex one that involves two host which is the man and the female anophe mosquito. Five species of plasmodium exist which include Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium knowlesi. The study was design to know the pattern of electrolyte and erythrocyte indices in malaria patient attending Abia State University teaching Hospital ABA. The electrolyte and erythrocyte indices was estimated using ISE machine and full blood count machine (sysmex NX series hematological analyzer TX). Statistical analysis were done on data and Express as chi test and Pearson correlation coefficient. The result of the people without malaria was compared with patient with malaria the electrolyte pattern and erythrocyte indices was categorized based on sex, age and occupation. It was found out that based on sex that there was a significant Association between sex and malaria status there was no statistical significant Association between age group and malaria status but an observable difference of malaria cases across different age group there was a significant Association between occupation and malaria status. There was a positive linear relationship between hemoglobin and parked cell volume. There was a significant difference between potassium and bicarbonate of those with malaria and without malaria and non-significant difference between sodium and chloride with malaria and non malaria patient. These finding underscore the importance of Regular hematological monitoring in malaria patient to dictate and manage potential complication hence eradication and preventive measures should be made known to the general public