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Assessment Of Micronutrients In Children With Malaria Infection
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of Study
Malaria is
a prevalent disease in tropical and subtropical areas of Africa. It is
estimated that 1-3 million deaths occurs worldwide, mostly involving
children under the age of 5years (Gouado et al., 2007). Malaria is a
major public health challenge in Nigeria and it accounts for more cases
and deaths than any other country in the world (Olasehinde et al.,
2010). This disease is often linked to changes in climate, poverty,
malnutrition and the double resistance of the malaria parasite to usual
anti-malaria drugs and insecticides (Müller and Garenne, 1999).
Infection by malaria can cause serious health problems and this often
leads to death especially in children (Gouado et al., 2007). The disease
is caused by malaria parasites (Plasmodium species) which are
transmitted by the female anopheles mosquito (vector).There are today
more than 25 named plasmodium species which infect primates. Four of the
species are human parasites; P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malaria and P.
ovale (Trampuz et al., 2003). Epidemiological studies have demonstrated
that P. falciparum is the most dangerous specie as it is responsible
for most of the deaths caused by malaria (Greenwood et al., 2005). The
malaria parasite is transmitted when an individual is bitten by infected
female anopheles mosquito (Ochei and Kolhatkar, 2008). The main symptom
of uncomplicated malaria in children is fever. Older children may
present with headache, backache, chills, myalgia and fatigue (Olasehinde
et al., 2010). Severe anaemia may exist alone or in combination with
other complications particularly cerebral malaria and respiratory
distress in which it portends worse prognosis (WHO, 2004). Consequences
of severe malaria include coma and death if untreated, young children
are especially vulnerable (Anemana et al., 2004). Laboratory diagnosis
of malaria could be made by detection of parasite in blood] or by
serological techniques (Ochei and Kolhatkar, 2008).
Micronutrients
are trace elements that are required in small quantities to ensure
normal metabolism, growth and physical wellâ€being. Some studies relating
micronutrient status and malaria infection reported low plasma levels
of certain micronutrient in acute malaria infection (Alonso, 2004). Iron
and beta carotene which are reported to have modulatory effect on the
pathogenesis of malaria, have been observed to be deficient in acute
plasmodium falciparum infection (Lavender, 1993; Shankar and Prasad
1998;; Beard, 2001; Caulfield et al., 2004). The levels of
micronutrients in children are of particular interest since adequate
intake is of great importance for the well being, proper development,
and functioning of the body starting from fetal life and throughout
childhood. Micronutrients comprise of vitamins and minerals. Examples of
vitamins are vitamin A, pro-vitamin A (Betaâ€carotene), vitamin B1,
vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, biotin, vitamin C, vitamin E,
vitamin D, vitamin K ,folic acid, niacin and pantothenic acid while
minerals include the trace elements such as iron, copper, iodine,
manganese, selenium and zinc together with the macro elements calcium,
magnesium, potassium and sodium (Asaolu and Igbaakin, 2009; Crook,
2012). Micronutrients have been implicated to play important roles in
immunity and physiologic functions. For instance, Calcium is an
important nutrient that plays a major role in bone and teeth formation,
impulse transmission, catalytic activation among others (Nordin, 1997).
Iron plays an important role in the production of heamoglobin,
oxygenation of red blood cells and lymphocytes. It improves the function
of enzymes in protein metabolism and enhances the function of calcium
and copper (Asaolu and Igbaakin, 2009). Vitamin B12 is involved in the
maturation of red blood cells. The folic acid coenzymes are specifically
concerned with metabolic reactions involving the transfer and
utilization of the one carbon moiety (Crook, 2012). Micronutrients
are found in small quantities within the body and they are obtained from
a wide variety of foods. No single food contains all of the
micronutrients we need and, therefore, a balanced and varied diet is
necessary for an adequate intake. Micronutrients deficiency is more
frequent amongst children in developing countries (Gibson and Ferguson,
1998). These deficiencies may contribute to an increased risk of
parasitic infection such as malaria (Mahomed, 2000).
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]The increased clinical state of malaria infection may be due to poor nutritional status most especially as a result of micronutrients deficiency. Micronutrients play vital role both in combating anaemia and other adverse effects of malaria infection in humans and animals in developing resistance against the disease. This research was aimed at establishing the effect of malaria parasite on neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-lymphocyte ratio and some essential plasma electrolytes (calcium, magn ... Continue reading---
