Effects of Plasmodium falciparum Infection on Blood Cell Parameters in Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Igabi Local Government Area, Kaduna State

Plasmodium species are single-celled haemoprotozoans that cause malaria in humans. This study determined the effect of Plasmodium falciparum infection on blood cell parameters in pregnant women in Igabi Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria. A total of 210 blood samples were collected from consenting pregnant women attending antenatal care in the selected Primary Health Care Centers. The samples were examined for P. falciparum and confirmed using polymerase chain reaction. Blood cells were evaluated. Data was analysed using the IBM statistical package for social sciences (version 26). The result showed that P. falciparum infections occurred with an overall of prevalence of 31.4%. The highest prevalence was recorded in Taro-Taro, 40.0%, and the lowest in Miyetti-Allah, 21.8%. The mean packed cells volume, recorded both in malaria negative and positive individuals were 30.71% and 34.13% and haemoglobin were, 10.068g/dL and 11.234g/dL, respectively. The mean total white blood cells of the negative and positive individuals were 10.068x109 and 11.234x109, respectively, which did not change significantly (p>0.05). The percentage mean neutrophils in non-infected pregnant women was 59.63%, which was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in infected pregnant women, 56.09%. The mean lymphocytes of infected pregnant women was 37.14%, which was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those without infection (34.76%). The Mean eosinophils of pregnant women infected was 0.56%, which was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those who were not infected (0.24%). It can be concluded that P. falciparum infection in the pregnant women was endemic, characterized by anaemia, neutropenia, lymphocytosis, and eosinophilia.