Haematological and Biochemical Parameters of COVID‐19 Patients Hospitalised at Selected Central Hospitals in Malawi: A Retrospective Study

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ABSTRACT Background and Aims COVID‐19 is an infectious respiratory disease caused by SARS‐CoV‐2. It was first reported in China in 2019 and spread rapidly to the rest of the world, leading to alarming morbidity and mortality. Haematological and biochemical parameters have been used in routine practice as prognostic markers of disease severity. However, this information has not been adequately documented in some African countries, particularly Malawi. Methods A retrospective study analysed records of 367 RT‐PCR‐confirmed COVID‐19 patients hospitalised between 2020 and 2022 in three central hospitals in Malawi. Patients' records were studied for clinical, haematological, and biochemical parameters against reference intervals. Parameters were compared by hospital, comorbidity status, oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) (≤ 93% vs. > 93%), and survival status using Chi‐square or Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables and Kruskal–Wallis or Mann–Whitney U tests for continuous variables, as appropriate. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of non‐survival ( p < 0.05). Results Among the 367 reviewed cases, median age was 46 years, 51.5% were males, 51.23% had comorbidities, and 59.13% survived. Most haematological and biochemical parameters were within reference ranges, except haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), aspartate transaminase (AST), gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). SpO 2 of ≤ 93% was associated with low red blood cell distribution width and high leucocyte and neutrophil counts. Compared with survivors, non‐survivors were older and had lower SpO 2 and higher respiratory rate, leucocyte and neutrophil counts, AST, alanine transaminase (ALT), GGT, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), LDH, BUN, and creatinine. Regression analysis showed age, ALT, ALP, and LDH as predictors of non‐survival. Conclusion Altered levels of leucocytes, neutrophils, AST, ALT, GGT, ALP, LDH, and BUN were associated with non‐survival. Age, ALT, ALP, and LDH were identified as predictors of adverse outcomes. These can help monitor COVID‐19 patients and inform disease prognosis.