Clinical and Laboratory Profile of Enteric Fever in Children From a Tertiary Care Centre in Odisha, Eastern India

Background: Enteric fever is a major health problem in developing countries. Varied clinical presentation leads to diagnostic dilemmas resulting in fatal complications. Objective: To determine the socio-demographic, clinical manifestations, complications, antibiotic sensitivity pattern, treatment, and outcome in hospitalized enteric fever patients. Methods: A retrospective case record analysis of hospitalized patients in the age group one to 14 years with a discharge diagnosis of enteric fever was done in a tertiary care centre of Odisha over a period of three years (January 2017 to December 2019). Results: Of 112 patients, 75% of children belonged to the six to 14 years age group with a mean age of 7.6 +/- 3.6 years and a male to female ratio of 1.66:1. The peak of cases was seen during the month of January to June with 94% of cases occurring in low and middle socioeconomic status. The commonest presentation was fever in 98.21%; other features were vomiting (39.29%), pain in abdomen (21.43%), diarrhoea (26.79%), and anorexia (14.29%). Eosinopenia was found in 58.93%, transaminitis in 30.36%, and raised CRP in 73.21%. In 30 children blood culture was positive with sensitivity to third- generation cephalosporin. All isolates were nalidixic acid-resistant Salmonella Typhi (NARST). Complications were seen in 21.42%. All recovered and two left against medical advice. Conclusion: Enteric fever is a major threat in the paediatric age group. Early clinical diagnosis with rational use of antibiotics according to sensitivity pattern is important. Improved hygiene, vaccination, and awareness among people is necessary for prevention.