Possible Biochemical Markers in Plasmodium falciparum Malaria Infected Children with or without Malnutrition at Webuye and Eldoret, Western Kenya

摘要

Malaria and Protein Energy Malnutrition are major health problems of concern in Kenya especially during rainy season in March to May and during the dry season from December to February every year. Assay of selected biochemical factors was carried out on children affected by these two disease conditions. To determine possible biochemical markers in children suffering from P. Falciparum malaria and Protein Energy Malnutrition in a Hospital setting in Western Kenya. Spectrophotometric assays of selected biochemical parameters: Albumin, Total proteins, Glucose, Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase (GOT), Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (GPT) and Bilirubin. The assays were done on serum samples obtained from children < 5 years of age admitted to the paediatric ward as well as outpatient clinics at Webuye District Hospital and MTRH in Western Kenya suffering from either or both of the two disease conditions. Plasma albumin levels showed 33% of the children to be below the normal range and 40% above normal, Mean total protein concentration was 56.0mg/l, Mean glucose concentration was 65 mmol/l, GOT and GPT concentrations were 9.0 and 5.9 μl/l respectively. Total bilirubin was 0.3 mg/dl while mean concentration for Creatinine was 0.75 mg/dl.The biochemical parameters studied did not show any unusual values at the time of the assays, but Serum glucose and Albumin levels showed potential as diagnostic markers for the two disease conditions.