Hematological changes in children suffering from visceral leishmaniasis (Kala azar)‎

Abstract EN

This study was designated to investigate the changes that occur in certain clinical and hematological features in visceral leishmaniasis (VL) among Al-Mahawyl children, during the period 20/11/2000 - 20/4/2001.

The total numbers used was 53 of both healthy and infected children from VL .

Their ages were 1 month – 3 years.

They were divided into two age groups.

First group 1 month – < 1 year and second group 1 – 3 years old.

The commonest presenting clinical features were fever, pale and hepatosplenomegally.

The hematological changes studied RBCs count, Hb and PCV in both age groups of visceral leishmaniasis were significant (P < 0.01) decrease than control.

The values of total WBCs, the percentage of neutrophil in both age groups of VL showed significant (P < 0.01) decrease.

While the percentage of lymphocyte and ESR of this study indicated a significant (P < 0.01) increase in both age groups of VL.

Whereas the values of platelets count showed significant (P < 0.01) decrease.

The main changes may be attributed to hemolysis, hepatosplenomegally and ineffective erythropoisis as well as iron and folate deficiency.