CLINICALAND LABORATORY PROFILE OF TYPHOID FEVER IN CHILDREN AGED LESS THAN 12 YEARS

Introduction Typhoid fever is a common endemic disease in India. It is a multi system infectious disease. It commonly affects children and may cause many complications and signicant morbidity if diagnosis of typhoid fever and thus its treatment is delayed. Our study aims to determine the common clinical presentations and laboratory abnormalities in pediatric patients which will help in early diagnosis and management of typhoid fever. Materials and methods This study was a prospective study conducted over a period of 18 months in the department of Pediatrics, Bhagwan Mahavir Institute of Medical sciences, Pawapuri, Nalanda. Inclusion criteria were all children from 6 months to 12 years of age with signs and symptom suggestive of typhoid fever plus either positive Typhidot IgM or positive Widal test. Clinical features of all the patients were noted and relevant investigations were done. Results Total 60 patients were included in the study. Male to female ratio was 1.22:1. Majority of patients belonged to 2-5 years age group. The commonest symptom was fever followed by anorexia, vomiting, pain abdomen, diarrhoea etc. The commonest sign was pallor followed by hepato-splenomegaly and icterus. Common laboratory abnormalities were anemia, leucocytosis, leucopenia, eosinopenia and raised liver enzymes and serum bilirubin. Conclusion Recognition of various clinical presentations and laboratory abnormalities help in early diagnosis of typhoid fever and thereby its early management.