Introduction: In tropics malaria is one of the cause of acute febrile illness. Hematological parameter changes involving major cell types such as erythrocytes, leucocytes and platelets are observed in malaria. Present study is done to evaluate hematological parameters in malaria.

Material and Methods: Present study was a two-year hospital-based study conducted at a tertiary health centre in rural Telangana. Total 368 cases diagnosed as acute febrile illness were studied. All the anticoagulated blood samples were submitted for complete blood count and peripheral blood smear for malarial parasite. Hemoglobin, Red cell distribution width, leukocyte count, and platelet counts were the parameters considered. Peripheral smear examination for malaria parasite was taken as gold standard for diagnosis of malaria. Diagnostic accuracy along with sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and likelihood ratios were statistically evaluated using 95% confidence intervals.

Results: Study included 368 patients and those with positive peripheral smear for malaria parasite were 140 (38.04%). Thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 150,000/cu mm) was a strong predictor for malaria (Sensitivity 60%, Specificity 88%, Likelihood ratio + 5.04) and in combination with anemia (Hb < 10 g/dl) it was next best parameter (Sensitivity 69%, Specificity 74%, Likelihood ratio + 2.77). 

Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia along with combination of anemia and thrombocytopeniaproves to be of paramount importance in predicting malarial infection. These hematological parameters supported by clinical findings and gold standard microscopy methods help to improve malaria diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords: Plasmodium Falciparum; Plasmodium Vivax; Thrombocytopenia; Anemia.