Background:  The infection induces significant hematological alterations, which are crucial for diagnosis, prognosis, and clinical management. Understanding the specific changes in blood cell parameters is essential for improving patient outcomes in endemic regions.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the hematological changes in patients with malaria compared to healthy controls and to assess the variations in these parameters across different Plasmodium species (P. falciparum and P. vivax).

Methods:  Venous blood samples were collected for microscopic confirmation of malaria parasite species and density, and for a full blood count analysis using an automated hematology analyzer. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, employing independent t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation.

Main Findings: Malaria patients exhibited significant hematological derangements compared to controls. The most prominent findings were severe thrombocytopenia (mean platelet count: 85.4 ± 32.1 x 10⁹/L vs. 250.1 ± 50.8 x 10⁹/L, p<0.001), anemia (mean hemoglobin: 9.8 ± 2.1 g/dL vs. 13.5 ± 1.5 g/dL, p<0.001), and leukopenia. P. falciparum infections were associated with significantly lower platelet counts and higher parasite density compared to P. vivax infections. A strong negative correlation was observed between parasite density and platelet count (r = -0.712, p<0.001).