The aim of this study was to determine the effect of haemoglobin variants in Plasmodium falciparum infected individuals using haematological parameters. The study was conducted at Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti Nigeria. Two hundred and two blood samples were collected twice from each malaria infected individuals; grouped as pre-treatment and post anti-malaria drug treatment; 4ml of blood sample was collected and dispensed into K₂EDTA vaccutainer bottles for haemoglobin electrophoresis using cellulose acetate electrophoresis as described by Dacie and Lewis, haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume and red cell indices were analysed using haematology analyser, thick blood film was made and stained with Giemsa's staining technique for malaria parasite detection as described by Monica Cheesbrough. Data obtained was analysed using SPSS version 16. The result of this present study showed that, the mean±SD of red blood cell, haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, red cell indices and red cell distribution width of HbAA in pre and post anti-malaria drug treatment were significantly (P<0.05) lower compared to HbAS and HbAC in pre and post anti-malaria drug treatment. This present study showed that, HbAS and HbAC suffer less malaria attack with lower incidence of clinical malaria compared to HbAA.

malaria parasite, haemoglobin variants and haematological parameters