Changing Trend in Clinical Spectrum of Salmonella Typhi in Children

Abstract

Objective: To determine the clinical spectrum and outcome of enteric fever in children.
Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Services Hospital, Lahore from 1 January 2021 till 31st July 2021. It included all patients in the age group of 1-18 years who were clinically suspected to have enteric fever. Non-probability consecutive sampling was used. Clinical features and their outcome were recorded on a predesigned proforma. Blood cultures were obtained from all patients and tested microbiologically by standard procedure.
Results: This study included 355 patients. 200 were male and 155 were females. 45 patients were from 1-2 years, 2-5 yrs (83), 6-10 yrs (95) and 11-18 yrs (132). Fever (100%) was seen in all patients followed by anorexia (91%), abdominal pain (85%), vomiting (63%), diarrhea (56%), constipation (28%) and cough (30%). 25% cases presented with high fever on first day of illness. Common physical findings were coated tongue (77%), splenomegaly (49%) and bradycardia (42%). Complications were present in 5% of cases. Blood culture was positive in 36 (10%) patients. Among them 25 patients showed extensive drug resistance.
Conclusion: Achange in clinical spectrum of salmonella typhi is manifesting over last few years. It has now been seen in infants and classical step ladder pattern of typhoid fever is rarely seen. Cough along fever is notably present in enteric fever. Drug resistance is a major threat and introduction of TCV vaccine in our EPI schedule for infants and children can reduce the disease burden.

How to cite: Tahira. F., Urooj S. R., Ali B. S., Zia A., Raza T., Latif S. Changing Trend in Clinical Spectrum of Salmonella Typhi in Children. Esculapio 2021;17(03):