Serum urea and creatinine levels in Nigerian human malaria patients

Abstract

Serum urea and creatinine levels were determined in malaria patients infected with P. falciparum. Serum urea levels decreased significantly (P<0.05) in both mild (4.10 ±1.10 mmol/L) and moderate (4.40 ±1.40 mmol/L) parasitaemia when compared to control subjects (5.50 ±1.40 mmol/L). On the other hand, serum creatinine levels decreased in mild parasitaemia (82.00 ±16.87 μmol/L) but increased significantly in moderate (94.30 ± 24.14 μmol/L) and severe parasitaemia (113.90 ± 46.30μmol/L; P<0.05. Control; 88.30 ± 11.87 μmol/L). The relationship of the results to protein metabolism and kidney function is discussed.

KEY WORDS: Malaria, Serum urea and creatinine, Nigeria

Global Jnl Medical Sciences Vol.2(2) 2003: 103-106