Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: A high calcium-to-magnesium ratio above 2:1 has been associated with higher risk of metabolic, inflammation and cardiovascular disorders. This study evaluates the serum levels of iron, magnesium, calcium, folate, vitamin B12 and calcium to magnesium ratio in children with uncomplicated malaria infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Measured nutritional parameters were determined in 300 children (100 males and 100 females) with malaria infection and 100 children (50 males and 50 females) without malaria infection using Enzyme linked Immunosorbent Assay and spectrophotometric methods. RESULTS: Significantly lower (p<0.001) levels of serum magnesium, iron, vitamin B12, folate and Packed cell volume (p<0.03) were observed among children with malaria than controls. On the other hand, serum calcium (8.45±0.20) and calcium-to-magnesium ratio (3.9:1.0) (were significantly higher (p<0.001) in malaria infected children than controls. Calcium to magnesium ratio correlated (r=0.188; p<0.01) with malaria parasitaemia. CONCLUSION: Higher serum calcium-to-magnesium ratio above the recommended 2.1 may contribute to increase risk of morbidity and mortality. Nutritional intervention aimed at lowering the ca/mg ratio may be essential in the management of malaria infection in Children.