Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p> Background Intracellular <italic>Plasmodium</italic> parasites scavenge host cholesterol and phospholipids to sustain growth, causing significant hepatocellular stress. However, the interplay between malaria-induced lipid depletion and dietary status in children remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the serum lipid profile of children with <italic>P. falciparum</italic> parasitaemia to determine the scope of dyslipidemia and identify nutritional/socioeconomic correlates. Objective This study aims to determine the serum lipid profile of children with malaria parasitaemia attending Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Materials and Methods This study was carried out on 50 malaria positive (case) and 50 malaria negative (control) children. Thick blood 30% Giemsa-stained slides were examined microscopically for malaria parasite. Serum lipid profile (total cholesterol (Tchol), triglyceride, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low DL-C (LDL-C) and very LDL-C were determined using spectrophotometric method. p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results Out of the 50 children with malaria parasitaemia, 38 (76.0%) were aged 0–1-year, n = 33 (66.0%) were males. All lipid profile fractions (except triglyceride, p = 0.161) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the control compared to the case children. LDL-C: HDL-C ratio was approximately 1.9: 1.7 in the case and control respectively. Children that consumed milk/breastmilk/garri (Nigeria staple food) at daily basis had significantly higher Tchol and LDL-C levels (p = 0.004 & 0.04 respectively). Tchol and HDL-C were significantly higher (p = 0.032 & 0.021 respectively) in children whose mothers had tertiary education. The lipid levels were non-significantly (p > 0.05) higher in children whose parents were professionally engaged. Conclusion The study showed that more lipid profile fractions including LDL-C and HDL-C were significantly lower in children with malaria compared to those without malaria. Also, level of maternal education rather than occupational statues has significant influence on child’s lipid profile. Our results suggest that malaria infection and mother’s academic status are associated with alterations in serum lipid metabolism, particularly reduced HDL-cholesterol levels. </p>