Nepal Health Research and Welfare Society, Jorpati, Kathmandu, Nepal
Abstract
Background
Malaria infection has been a global issue most especially in
tropical and subtropical regions. Disease progression to
severe malaria as a result of alteration in micronutrients
could worsen the illness. The study aimed to determine
whether there are variations in the levels of selected
micronutrients (Iron, copper, magnesium, and zinc), malaria
parasite density and packed cell volume (PCV) during
malaria infection.
Material and methods
A total of one hundred young adults between the ages of
eighteen and twenty two years were investigated. Blood
samples were collected from fifty malaria subjects and fifty
apparently non-infected subjects. Malaria detection was by
microscopy while the parasite density was estimated using
WHO standard procedure. Analysis of selected
micronutrients (copper, iron, magnesium and zinc) was
carried out using direct measurement on atomic absorption
spectrophotometer and PCV was estimated using Microhaematocrit method.
Results
The results showed that the levels of the micronutrients were
significantly higher (p<0.05) in malaria subjects compared
with controls. Significant positive relationships between
copper, magnesium and zinc were found at p<0.01 and
p<0.05.
Conclusion
The study concluded that there are significant variations in
the levels of the micronutrients during malaria infection