Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum in symptomatic and asymptomatic children in Minna, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

The prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum in asymptomatic children and its association with symptomatic malaria cases was assessed in a cohort of children from Minna, Nigeria. A total of 220 children aged 6 months to 17 years were recruited from the community and healthcare facilities. Thick and thin films of the blood samples were prepared and the parasite density was determined using the thick film while the parasite species was identified using thin film. Overall, the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum was 70% (153/220) out of which 28% (43/153) was observed in apparently healthy children from the community (asymptomatic) and 72% (110/148) from children with fever (symptomatic). The highest parasite prevalence was observed in children 6 to 11 years 30% (22/72) for asymptomatic infection; while symptomatic infection recorded 44% (65/110) from 6 months to 5 years of age. Females tends to show a greater prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum infection with 77% (20/26) and 78% (49/63) for both asymptomatic and symptomatic infections respectively. Parasitemia was, however, not significantly associated with fever (p>0.05). This study confirms that malaria remains a major cause of febrile illness during the early stages of childhood (<5 years). This may however, guide case definition for clinical trials of preventive tools, as well as provide definitions that may improve the precision of measurement of the burden of malaria.