Influence of Malaria on Serum Alpha-Tocopherol Levels in Children

Background: Malaria is associated with production of free oxygen radicals and tumour necrosis factor that are scavenged by anti-oxidants including alpha-tocopherol. Such anti-oxidants could be reduced following malaria infection. The levels of serum alpha-tocopherol in malaria patients were therefore, examined. Objectives: To determine the serum concentration of alpha-tocopherol in children with malaria. Setting: Children's Emergency Room (CHERO) of University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. Design: Prospective, cross-sectional study involving 100 subjects and 40 controls. Methods: Study was conducted at the Department of Biochemistry, University of Benin and Child Health University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City between May and June 2000. It involved determination of serum alpha-tocopherol levels in cases and controls, using the Quaife's micro-method. Results: Mean (SEM)serum alpha-tocopherol in cases of 2.06(1.23)mg/ml varied significantly from the 8.68(2.06)mg/ml obtained in controls (p=0.02). There was a significant correlation of serum slpha-tocopherol levels with age amongst controls (r=0.43; p=0.006) as against what was obtained in cases (r=-0.08; p>0.05). Mean serum alpha-tocopherol levels was also independent of degree of malaria parasitaemia in cases. Conclusion: Serum alpha-tocopherol levels in children with malaria is significantly reduced. Further studies, possibly including clinical trials, are recommended to further evaluate these observations of ours. (Key Words: Serum alpha-tocopherol, malaria, children. Sahel Medical Journal Vol.7(4) 2004: 110-11