Thrombocytopenia and its Severity in Plasmodium Vivax Positive Patients

Background: Plasmodium vivax, one of the four species of human malaria parasites, is responsible for a considerable portion of malaria cases. While P. vivax is often considered less severe than Plasmodium falciparum, it is not without its complications. Thrombocytopenia is a common hematological complication associated with malaria infections, including those caused by P. vivax. Objective: To evaluate the severity of thrombocytopenia and relationship between thrombocytopenia and demographic factors, such as age and gender, in Plasmodium vivax positive patients. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Settings: Medicine OPD of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences / Jamshoro and Muhammad Medical College, Mirpur Khas Pakistan. Duration: Six months from May 2022 to October 2022. Methods: Individuals aged over 12 years of either gender with a confirmed diagnosis of Plasmodium vivax were included. A single blood sample was collected from each participant for platelet count analysis, and demographic details and platelet counts were recorded using standardized data collection forms. Thrombocytopenia was defined as a platelet count below a predetermined threshold (e.g.,