Risk Factors and Clinical Features of Malaria Among Newborns With Fever in Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe: A Cross-Sectional Study
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Abstract
Introduction
Malaria is a cause of fever in the neonatal period especially in malaria-endemic regions and it is important to recognize and treat it early. We set out to document the risk factors, clinical features and outcome in subjects with neonatal malaria in our setting
Methods
We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional study in which 131 newborns with fever were recruited. Malaria diagnosis was by use of direct microscopy following Giemsa staining. Maternal and newborn characteristics were documented. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 24 and p-value was considered significant when less than 0.05.
Results
A history of malaria in the mother regardless of the gestational age of occurrence, prematurity, Packed cell volume(PCV) less than 45, jaundice and a history of transfusion were significantly associated with malaria in the newborn. More deaths were recorded in newborns with malaria however the difference was not statistically significant.
Conclusion
Clinicians should have a heightened index of suspicion for malaria in neonates who present with fever and the features mentioned above in malaria-endemic regions.