CLINICAL SPECTRUM AND TREATMENT OUTCOMES OF TYPHOID FEVER IN CHILDREN AT BAQAI MEDICAL UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, KARACHI, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: Typhoid fever is one such health issue that is causing persistent challenges in the healthcare of children in Pakistan due to poor sanitation practices, consumption of contaminated water, overcrowded living areas, and the rising resistance to antimicrobials.

Objective: The aim of the study is to measure the clinical spectrum and complications of typhoid fever and its treatment outcomes in children who present to Baqai Medical University Teaching Hospital, Karachi.

Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was implemented in six months (January -June 2024) on 150 children aged 6 months to 13 years, with a history of clinic and/or blood culture diagnosis. The structured proforma that was used to collect data was based on demographics, symptoms, physical signs, laboratory markers, complications, and fever defervescence time (FDT). ANOVA was used as both a descriptive and inferential test.

Findings: It was found that the age group of 712 years was the highest in cases (57.3%). One hundred percent of patients had fever, and the second most frequent symptoms were abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, hepatosplenomegaly, and rose spots. The complications were noted to include hepatitis and gastrointestinal problems, and the cases of serious complications were not common. The overall response to antibiotics was positive, and ceftriaxone and azithromycin were the most widely used medications. The outcomes of ANOVA revealed that there was no significant difference between the gender and ethnicity in major clinical variables (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Typhoid fever is most prevalent amongst the school-going children. Due to early diagnosis and proper antibiotics, recovery will have better results